Hospital Transitions
A guide to moving safely between home and hospital
👋 What is this guide about?
This guide is about moving between home and hospital.
This happens when you need to go to hospital for treatment or surgery.
We call this a "transition of care."
This guide tells you what to prepare and what to expect.
⚠️ Why does this matter?
Many people with disability go to hospital.
When you move between home and hospital, things can go wrong if no one talks to each other.
For example:
- The hospital might not know about your medicines
- The hospital might not understand how you communicate
- You might not get the support you need when you come home
This guide helps everyone work together.
When we plan and talk to each other, hospital stays are safer.
The Three Phases of a Hospital Stay
Phase 1
Before you go to hospital
Phase 2
While you are in hospital
Phase 3
When you come home
📋 Phase 1. Before You Go to Hospital
If you know you will go to hospital, we can get ready.
What we do to get ready:
- Make sure you understand what will happen
- Check that your medicine list is correct
- Make sure your support plans are up to date
- Talk to the hospital before you go
Questions to think about before hospital
- What medicines do you take?
- Do you have any allergies?
- How do you like to be helped?
- How do you communicate?
- What support do you need every day?
- Who should the hospital call if they need to ask questions?
🎒 What to Bring to Hospital
Bring these things with you to hospital:
Medicines
Bring your medicines and a list of what you take
Your Cards
Bring your Medicare card and health care card
Your Plans
Bring your support plans (how you like to be helped)
Your Equipment
If you use special equipment, tell the hospital
Emergency Contacts
Bring a list of people the hospital should contact
🏥 Phase 2. While You Are in Hospital
We stay in touch while you are in hospital.
We help the hospital understand your needs.
We check that you are okay.
The hospital should know:
- Your medicines and any allergies
- How you like to communicate
- What help you need every day
- Your support plans
- Who to contact if they have questions
Things That Can Go Wrong (And How To Stop Them)
Medicine mistakes: The hospital might not know about all your medicines. Make sure the hospital has your full medicine list.
Communication problems: The hospital might not understand how you talk. Tell them about your communication needs.
Missing follow-up: After hospital, you might need to see doctors or therapists. Make sure you have appointments scheduled.
Wrong support at home: When you come home, you might need different help. Talk about this before you leave hospital.
🏠 Phase 3. When You Come Home From Hospital
Coming home from hospital is important.
We plan for this from the moment you go to hospital.
Before you leave the hospital, get:
- A letter saying what doctors did
- A list of your new medicines
- Dates for follow-up appointments
- Information about any new equipment you need
- A plan for what happens at home
Questions to Ask Before You Leave Hospital
- What has changed about my care?
- Do I have new medicines?
- When do I see my doctor next?
- Do I need new equipment?
- What should I do if I have problems?
- How do I contact the hospital if I need help?
✓ How Home Care Experts Helps
Home Care Experts (HCE) helps you through all three phases.
Before hospital
We help you prepare. We check your medicines. We tell the hospital what you need.
In hospital
We stay in touch. We help the hospital understand you. We check you are okay.
After hospital
We help you get home safely. We make sure you have the support you need. We coordinate your care.
🤝 Who Can Help You
Many people can help with a hospital stay:
Your Doctor
Your regular doctor can help coordinate your care
Hospital Staff
Case coordinators or social workers at the hospital can help plan your discharge
Patient Advocate
Patient advocacy services can help you if you need support
Support Coordinator
If you have a support coordinator, they can help organise services
Family and Friends
Your family and friends can support you and help communicate with hospital
Three Things to Remember
Talk to everyone: Make sure the hospital, your doctor, HCE, and your family all know what is happening.
Plan ahead: Start planning for hospital before you go. Do not wait until it happens.
Ask questions: If you do not understand something, ask. There are no silly questions.
📚 Want More Information?
If you want to know more, there are tools and guides that can help:
- Hospital Stay Guidelines: A checklist to help you pack for hospital
- A2D Together: A tool to help hospital staff understand your needs
- My Health My Communication: A way to write down important health information
- NDIS Commission website: More information about transitions of care
