Discharge Planning

Discharge planning begins soon after the child’s admission. Parents will be involved in the decision and planning for discharge including home care arrangements, medications and follow-up appointments. You will be contacted as soon as your child’s attending physician has approved the child’s discharge from the hospital.

• Children must be discharged to parents or legal guardians. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian will be taking your child home, arrangements must be made in advance with your child’s nurse.
• Upon discharge, you may receive instructions regarding your child’s follow-up care if he or she requires it.
• Repeat to the care provider his/her instructions to make sure you understand them.
• Review your child’s discharge/home care plan with the care provider. Be sure to ask when your child can return to normal activities.
• Review your child’s medication with the care provider. Ask the medication’s purpose, dosage, delivery, special considerations and side effects.
• Ask for prescriptions for medications or other therapies.
• Children’s Outpatient Pharmacy, on Floor 1 of the main hospital, can fill discharge prescriptions and can deliver them to the child’s room prior to discharge. The Outpatient Pharmacy is open from 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 412-692-9200.
• Ask your child’s health care provider to help you update your child’s medication history.
• Ask your child’s care provider who you should call when questions or problems come up at home.
• Know who you should see for follow-up visits.