Post-hospital care coordination

Discharge information

Confirm what the treating team has recommended, the expected discharge time and any equipment or travel restrictions.

Receiving arrangements

If another facility is expected to receive the patient, confirm acceptance, services and timing with that facility. A transport request alone does not secure a place.

Family handover

Clarify what information and contacts the family needs for the next stage. Clinical follow-up remains with the responsible providers.

The next destination determines the plan

Returning home, travelling to a rehabilitation provider, entering a care facility and going to an airport after discharge are different arrangements. Ask which destination has accepted the patient, what support can be provided there and who will be present for the handover. A transport booking cannot establish continuity of care by itself.

Translate discharge advice into practical constraints

The treating team may have recommendations about assisted movement, oxygen, follow-up visits, medicine handling or travel limitations. Those instructions should inform the appropriate vehicle and receiving arrangements, without a coordinator changing clinical instructions. Ask for a clear departure window and the ward-to-vehicle handover contact.

Reconcile discharge time with transport and receiving time

A family may hear “discharge Saturday” while the receiving facility only accepts at a different hour. Agree a realistic pickup window, waiting policy, person who can authorise change and fallback if discharge is delayed. For airport departures, check the separate airline medical acceptance and support rules before committing to a flight-linked pickup.

Check completion after the journey

Define the destination entrance and receiving person, any mobility or equipment support required when leaving the vehicle, and which party carries the discharge summary or follow-up instructions. If no receiving person is available, this must be resolved before describing the journey as a safe end-to-end handover.

Before confirming the arrangement

• Treating team’s discharge window and route advice
• Destination acceptance, correct entrance and named recipient
• Mobility, equipment and companion needs on both ends
• Who changes the booking if discharge is postponed

Questions to settle before booking

Can transport be reserved before discharge is final?

Availability can be discussed, but the final pickup and support level depend on the treating team’s release plan and provider confirmation.