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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Discharge from the Medical Center
Discharge Procedures
Early during your stay, your health care team
should talk to you about your after hospitalization
care/needs, your anticipated discharge date, and any
needed follow-up with your primary doctor. Your
social worker will assist you if you need counseling
or assistance with aftercare facilities such as a
community living center, a residential care facility, or a boarding
facility.
If medication is prescribed, your medication and
other supplies will be discussed with you prior to
discharge. These items can then be picked up at the
nursing station before you depart from the hospital.
You can ask questions and receive individual consultations
with a pharmacist if you have further
questions.
You may then pick up your VA identification card
from the nursing station. Check with your nurse
before leaving the hospital for any other discharge
instructions.
You can checkout after a member of your health
care team has seen you with your discharge instructions
and you have gotten your medications. We
will work with you to have all of your discharge
arrangements made at least one day prior to your
discharge. If you need help arranging transportation
home or have other special needs, your ward
social worker can assist you.
48 Hour Post-Discharge Survey
You will be contacted for feedback about your stay
once you are discharged. Your comments will help
us to continue to improve our service to our veteran
patients and family. It is important that we have
your correct phone number at time of discharge.
Collecting Your Personal Belongings
Make sure you have collected everything from your
bedside area, and are completely ready to leave. If
you have any money on deposit with the Agent
Cashier, located in section 4 in the domiciliary, plan
to withdraw your balance. The hours of operation
are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Diets
If you are on a special diet, a dietitian will counsel
you and your family on how to follow your diet at
home. Let your health care team know that you
wish to speak to a dietitian before discharge.
Home Care Services
Home care services are available to eligible veterans
who need assistance with care in their home after
being discharged from the hospital. The social
worker will coordinate these services and work
together with your health care team before your
discharge, to make arrangements with Home Based
Primary Care (HBPC) staff, or a community based
agency. Any VA doctor can make HBPC referrals.
Homeless Veterans Coordinator
The goal of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans
(HCHV) Program is to end homelessness among
veterans through outreach efforts and community
partnerships. Veterans are engaged in treatment
and rehabilitation programs to enable them to achieve
a better quality of life. The telephone number for all
of VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York
Homeless Veterans Program (585) 393-7422.
Community Living Centers
Social workers can help you and your family resolve
problems affecting your care, discharge planning,
VA, and community resources. If you need counseling,
or assistance with locating a care facility (Community Living Center, residential or boarding facility), see the
social worker assigned to your ward or clinic. They
are here to help you with any concern that will
enhance your treatment, and maximize recovery.
Lost and Found
If you lose any personal items during your stay, tell
your health care team. If needed, contact the VA
police. Please take any items you may find while at
the Medical Center to your ward or section staff, a
primary care clerk or the VA police.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: December 28, 2006 |
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