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Discharge Planning

Discharge planning begins soon after the child’s admission. Parents will be involved in the decision and planning for discharge including home care arrangements, medications and follow-up appointments. You will be contacted as soon as your child’s attending physician has approved the child’s discharge from the hospital.

  • Children must be discharged to parents or legal guardians. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian will be taking your child home, arrangements must be made in advance with your child’s nurse.
  • Upon discharge, you may receive instructions regarding your child’s follow-up care if he or she requires it.
  • Repeat to the care provider his/her instructions to make sure you understand them.
  • Review your child’s discharge/home care plan with the care provider. Be sure to ask when your child can return to normal activities.
  • Review your child’s medication with the care provider. Ask the medication’s purpose, dosage, delivery, special considerations and side effects.
  • Ask for prescriptions for medications or other therapies.
  • Children’s Outpatient Pharmacy, on Floor 1 of the main hospital, can fill discharge prescriptions and can deliver them to the child’s room prior to discharge. The Outpatient Pharmacy is open from 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 412-692-9200.
  • Ask your child’s health care provider to help you update your child’s medication history.
  • Ask your child’s care provider who you should call when questions or problems come up at home.
  • Know who you should see for follow-up visits.