This course has been approved for 4 hours by the Commission on Case Manager Certification for 2007, 2008, 2009, 1/15/10 through 12/31/10, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
The purpose of this course is to inform nurses about the discharge planning process so that they will provide effective discharge planning for their patients. After studying the information presented here, you will be able to:
- Define discharge planning
- Discuss the role of the discharge planner
- Identify high-risk patients using screening criteria
- Compare and contrast the Medicare and Medicaid programs
- Identify the essential components of the discharge planning process
- Identify community resources for discharge planning cases
- Discuss accountability as it relates to discharge planning
The term “discharge planning” can be used in a variety of ways. To a patient, it may mean one thing; to the physician, something quite different; and to the hospital administrator, effective discharge planning can mean the difference between financial profit or loss.
Basically, discharge planning is the process by which hospitalized patients are provided services that will allow continuity of care so healing or health maintenance can occur outside the acute care hospital. All patients have discharge planning needs, some more complex than others.
The Social Security Act § 1861 (ee) defines discharge planning as a process to ensure a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of setting for posthospital or rehabilitative care.
This course is designed to give the nurse an understanding of discharge planning that will help him or her better meet patients’ discharge planning needs. Here you will learn the answers to questions such as:
- What is discharge planning?
- What is the role of the discharge planner?
- What resources may be available to help my patient?
There also will be tips for the nurse considering a job as a discharge planner.
