Preparing for Discharge

Leaving the hospital is an important step in your care journey, and it’s normal to feel nervous or unsure about this transition.

Planning for your discharge begins as soon as you arrive, whether you are seen in the Emergency Department or admitted to an inpatient unit, so you can feel supported every step of the way.

Your care team is committed to helping you answer your questions and support you along the way. You can use the Discharge Guide to stay organized, informed, and empowered as you transition from the hospital.

The Benefits of Healing Outside the Hospital

Recovering at home – or the place you call home - allows you to continue healing in a comfortable environment.

Patients maintain their independence, strength, and mobility while avoiding the effects of prolonged hospital stays.

People tend to move more and feel more at ease at home, which supports both physical and emotional recovery.

If you or your caregivers are in the process of making important decisions about long-term care or future living arrangements, home has been shown to be the best setting for thoughtful planning. It gives you more time, space, and flexibility to assess your needs while still receiving support.

If you are waiting for long-term care, leaving the hospital does not affect your place on the waitlist for your preferred location. In many cases, supports can be arranged to help you remain at home while you wait.

Another benefit of being in your residence is the ability to have loved ones visit freely. Unlike the hospital, there are no visiting hours or restrictions, and there’s less risk of exposure to infections that are more common in acute care settings. This can be a great comfort to caregivers.

Care Moves with You

Your care team in the hospital will start planning your discharge when you are first admitted. However, leaving the hospital doesn’t mean your care ends; it simply moves with you. Your care team will continue to help you as you transition, making sure you have the services and supports you need to feel safe and confident.

If additional support is needed, your care team will help coordinate appropriate services and referrals; we will help arrange referrals before you leave.

You can use this Discharge Guide to help plan for leaving the hospital.

What to Expect Before You Leave

Before leaving the hospital, you will receive important information to help you continue your recovery safely, including:

• Guidance on your care and recovery
• Instructions for medications
• Details about follow-up care or appointments
• Information on who to contact if you have questions or concerns

Your hospital care team will review this information with you and make sure you are comfortable with your plan.

If You Have Concerns

It is natural to feel uncertain about leaving the hospital, especially if you have ongoing health concerns or live alone.

Your care team is there to listen and support you. Please share any concerns so they can work with you to find the right plan for your situation.

After Discharge from the Hospital

Once you have left the hospital, follow the guidance provided to you at discharge. You will receive clear information before leaving the hospital about who to contact and when.

If you have questions or notice changes in how you are feeling, here are your options:

For urgent concerns

If you need immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

For non-urgent health concerns

• For non-urgent health care questions, call your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you don't have one, visit healthpei.ca/patientregistry to add your name to the PEI patient registry and receive free access to virtual health care.
• Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse about non-urgent care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

To find health care services, visit Find Health Care.

To access community programs and supports, call 2-1-1 or visit the 211 website.

Other care options

• Community-based services involved in your care
• Walk-in clinics or other available health services
• If you do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner, once you have registered for the Provincial Patient Registry, you will be able to see one online through the Unaffiliated Virtual Care Program

Helpful Resources

To support your transition back to your place of residence, you may be provided with:

• A Discharge Guide to help you stay organized and informed
• Additional materials to support your recovery

If you need help accessing these resources, please ask a member of your hospital care team.

Our Commitment to You

Our goal is to support you in leaving the hospital safely, with the information, care, and support you need to continue your recovery with confidence.

What is a hospital discharge?

Hospital discharge happens when you no longer require the level of inpatient care provided. At this point in your health care journey, you may be well enough to go home- or the place you call home- or you may be transferred to another hospital to continue your treatment and recovery. When your recovery is complete, you will be discharged.

When will I be discharged?

Discharge planning starts when you are admitted to hospital for treatment. Your care team will discuss your expected date of discharge (EDD) with you within 48 hours of your admission. This date may change as you progress through your care plan. Share the date with your caregivers so they can make arrangements to pick you up from the hospital. Good planning allows you and your caregivers to be prepared to continue your recovery in a more appropriate setting.

Hospital discharge time is before 11 a.m.

Your care team will help you prepare to leave by the discharge time. They will provide you with any care instructions, (e.g. taking medications, caring for a wound) and answer any questions you may have.

How can I prepare to be discharged from the hospital?

Make a list of any questions you have for your care team and request answers to these questions before you leave the hospital. If English is not your first language, you can ask for language interpreter assistance. You may also ask a family member or friend to be present during the discharge process.

You may need to arrange a ride home from the hospital. You also may need to arrange for extra help at home or have a family member or caregiver stay with you.

What happens if I am not ready for discharge?

If you have completed the acute phase of your care and no longer require the range of services offered at your current hospital, you may be transferred to another hospital where your existing care needs will be met.

If your health care team decides to transfer you to another hospital, you and your family or caregiver will be notified. Your care plan and patient history will be shared with your new health care team, and the receiving hospital will be ready to provide you with the care you need.

Island residents with a valid PEI Health Card who are transferred to another hospital will not be required to pay the ambulance transfer fee.

View the Patient Care Journey.

What happens during the discharge process?

Members of your care team will answer any questions you have and provide you with information or care instructions. They will discuss:

• your discharge time (before 11 a.m.);
• your medical condition at time of discharge;
• any follow-up care that you require;
• medication that you need, including why, when and how to take it, and possible side effects to watch for;
• medical equipment you may need, and how to get it;
• what you can expect if you are being transferred to a new facility;
• who to call if you have a question or problem; and
• information about any follow-up appointments or how to make an appointment.

What happens after being discharged from the hospital?

After you are discharged from hospital, you will need to carefully follow the care instructions that were provided to you.

Let family and friends be a part of your recovery after being discharged. They may be able to pick up medications or take you to your appointments. They may remember things that you forget or questions to ask. This can help you have a smoother recovery after discharge.

Will there be a hospital bed for me when I need it?

All sectors of the health care system are working together to ensure you get the right care, by the right provider, in the right place. Health PEI has a provincial Bed Coordinator and coordination team to help make the best use of limited hospital beds. It is important that Island patients most in need of acute services receive the timely care they require. One way Health PEI is keeping hospital beds available for those who need them most is by transferring individuals who have completed the acute phase of their care and no longer require the range of services available at a referral hospital. These patients may be waiting for admission to a long-term care facility or simply need more time to recuperate before they are able to return to their residence.

If I am in hospital waiting for long-term care, can I choose the facility I will be transferred to?

 As part of the long-term care application process, you may choose up to five long-term care facilities in order of preference.

If you are waiting in hospital and no longer require hospital services, you will be offered the first available long-term care bed that meets your health care needs. This may not be one of your preferred facilities and may be outside of your home region.

Rather than remaining in hospital, you will wait in a long-term care setting that can meet your care needs. This allows you to receive care in the most appropriate setting while ensuring hospital beds remain available for patients who require hospital services.

Accepting a first available bed does not change your original waitlist priority date.