When hospitalized, most people look forward to the moment they are discharged and allowed to go home. Going through the discharge process can become foggy in your excitement, causing you to forget important information about your transitional care from the hospital to home and from home to recovery.

Some key information to listen for or pay close attention to include the following:

• Medications Prescribed. This is extremely important for any recovering patient but even more important for patients who may already be taking several medications or may never had to take any medications prior to this hospitalization. Often times, for patients who are on a medication schedule, the hospital may adjust the prescription or stop the medication all together. Changes to medications can be confusing, especially if you have been taking them long term. Be sure to be clear on what medications you should take upon leaving; if any were canceled or changed, and how often they should be now taken.
• Schedule Your Follow Up. It is common for a follow up visit to be recommended after discharge from a hospital, and it is even more common for patients to not follow through. These visits are recommended and important because of the changes that may be required. There may be new medications, or changes to current medications, that require checking in to see if the modifications were enough for your medical treatment or if an adverse reaction is occurring. It may also require a change of bandages or inspection of a wound to prevent infection. A follow up visit also keeps your primary care provider accurately updated so they have your whole health history to base your health treatment plan off of.
• Warning Symptoms. During your discharge, the attending medical provider will also review potential risk factors or symptoms you may encounter during your recovery. They may be signs to keep a watch for that may indicate an infection, return of your illness, start of a new illness, or a complication from a new or modified medication. These warning signs are indicators to return to full medical observance to ensure your healthy status.

Your ACT Health Solutions provider can assist you during your transitional period while homebound during your recovery. Your practitioner will review your medication changes and requirements to ensure you fully comprehend them, conduct your follow up medical care, and help identify any warning signs during your transitional care management and emphasize which symptoms to watch for in their absence.