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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, your anticipated discharge date, and who
will be your primary care doctor. If medication is
prescribed, your medicine, and other medical
supplies, will also be discussed with you before
discharge. These items can then be picked up at
the outpatient pharmacy as you leave the hospital.
If you are on a special diet, a dietitian will council
you and your family on how to follow your diet at
home. Let your health care team know if you wish
to speak to a dietitian before discharge. If you
need an outpatient appointment in a specialty clinic,
it will be discussed with you before you are released
from the hospital. Remember to tell the
nursing staff when you have received your medication
or if you need help getting to the outpatient
pharmacy to pick them up.
A copy of your patient discharge instructions will
be given to you before you leave your unit.
Make sure you have collected all of your
belongings from your bedside area and are
ready to leave.
Discharge is at 10:00 a.m. We will work with you
to have your discharge arrangements made at least
one day before your discharge. If you need help
arranging transportation home or have other special
needs, your health care team will assist you. You
may pick up your VA identification (ID) card from
the nursing station before leaving. Remember to
confirm your mailing address and telephone number
with the unit clerk.
Social workers are available to help you and your
family work through any problems you may have
that affect your care, discharge planning, or finding
any other resources (within the VA or community)
you may need. If you need help finding a health care
facility (community living center, residential home, or boarding
facility), ask to meet with the social worker. Refer to
the social work services section of this guide.
If you have deposited money with the Agent
Cashier, withdraw your balance. Refer to the Agent
Cashier section of this guide for more information.
Remember, if you are being discharged on a weekend
or holiday, the Agent Cashier is closed. You will
need to withdraw your money ahead of time. Also
remember, a daily maximum of $500 may be withdrawn
at any one time. For balances left after the
$500 is withdrawn, a check will be mailed to your
home address. If you have money on deposit and are
not physically able to go to the Agent Cashier, ask a
member of your health care team to make arrangements
for you.
Community Living Center/Community Resources
Social workers can help you and your family with
your discharge planning to VA and community
resources. Arrangements for these services should
be made before discharge with the social worker
assigned to your unit.
48 Hour Post-Discharge Telephone Survey
You will be contacted for feedback about your
hospital stay once you are discharged. Your
comments will help us continue to meet our goal
of providing quality health care and services to
our veteran patients and their family. It is important
that we have your correct telephone number and
mailing address upon discharge.
Home Care Services
Home care services are available to eligible veterans
who need assistance with care in their home after
discharge from the hospital. The social worker will
coordinate these services and work with your health
care team to make arrangements. Any VA doctor
can make the referral. Home-based primary care
can be reached at extension 54302.
Lost and Found
If you lose any personal items during your stay, tell
your health care team. If needed, contact the VA
Police. If you find any items while at the hospital,
please take them to the VA Police office, located on
the first floor in room C145, directly across from
the Emergency Department or give the items to
the unit clerk.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: December 29, 2006 |
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