Healthcare Social Worker how-to
How to Plan a Safe Discharge
Good plans prevent readmissions.
Quick answer
Good plans prevent readmissions. In short: assess; talk; discuss, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Assess the patient’s needs and home situation.
Talk with the medical team.
Discuss options with the patient and family.
Arrange services and equipment.
Confirm insurance approvals.
Follow up after discharge.
Safety reminders for healthcare social workers
- Follow infection control in hospitals
- Use de-escalation with distressed families
- Protect patient privacy under HIPAA
- Use supervision and self-care
Key terms
Discharge planning · Psychosocial assessment · Advance directive · Health care proxy · Palliative care · Hospice: see the full healthcare social worker glossary.