Booklet supports hospital patients get ready for discharge
Helpful checklist
GALWAY University Hospitals (GUH) have launched a new booklet aimed at preparing patients for their discharge from hospital.
‘Planning Your Discharge from Hospital’ was created in partnership with the University of Galway and hospital service users. It is designed to improve communication with patients and carers throughout their hospital journey.
The direct experiences and feedback from patients helped shape the content and practical features of the booklet.
It includes checklists covering going-home supports, discharge planning, the day of discharge, my medicines, side effects, follow up appointments, common problems after discharge and safety at home.
“When you are in hospital, there can be a lot of information to take in, and it can be difficult to remember everything when you get home,” noted James Fleming, a service user who helped create the new booklet.
“Being involved in developing the booklet allowed me to share what I felt would have been helpful from a patient’s perspective.
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EDEL Burke, Business Manager, Galway University Hospitals; Una Madden, PALS; Ellen Patterson, University of Galway; Libby Kineen, University of Galway; Verna Mc Kena, University of Galway; Yvonne Finn, University of Galway; Chris Kane, Hospital Manager, Galway University Hospitals; Marie Burns, Director of Nursing, Galway University Hospitals; Karen O’Connell, Occupational Therapist, Galway University Hospitals; Tania Jahir, University of Galway; Niamh O’Brien, PALS, Galway University Hospitals; Debbie Belton, Assistant Director of Nursing; and Maura Mannion, Assistant Director of Nursing.Image 2 of 2
MAURA Mannion, Assistant Director of Nursing; Niamh O’Brien, Patient Advice and Liaison Coordinator; Mary O’Sullivan, Patient Representative; Jimmy Flemming, Patient Representative; Una Madden, Patient Representative; and Debbie Belton, Assistant Director of Nursing.“Having a place to write down important information, questions, appointments and contacts means patients have something they can refer back to. I hope it will help people feel more informed, confident and involved in their own care and discharge planning.”
One new key feature of the booklet is the ‘My Notes’ section, which provides service users with dedicated space to document their own hospital journey.
This includes dedicated space to write down the names of their consultant-led medical teams, important information about their care and details of relevant contacts and supports available to them following discharge.
This personalised section enables patients to retain important information in one place and provides a practical reference for themselves and their carers after leaving hospital.
The booklet also places a strong emphasis on encouraging patients to ask questions and actively participate in conversations about their care.
It incorporates the health literacy tool ‘Ask Me 3’, which encourages and reminds patients to ask three simple but important questions: What is my main problem? What do I need to do? Why is it important for me to do this?
“Hospital admission and discharge can be stressful and unsettling experiences for patients, as well as their families, carers, friends and relatives,” stated Niamh O’Brien, Patient Advice and Liaison Coordinator at GUH.
“This booklet has been re-developed to provide helpful information and guidance to support patients in preparing for their discharge from hospital and to ensure that appropriate support is in place when they return home.”
“The medical or surgical team will identify an anticipated discharge date, which will be recorded on the front of the booklet. Discharge planning begins from the time of admission, allowing patients and their families to consider and identify any support they may need following discharge.”