Five things to note before patient discharge - Knowledge section

by 60888888 on 2010-01-07 13:41:40

Recently, conflicts between doctors and patients keep emerging. Whose faults are these? Most of them are caused by the loose management system for doctors as well as the lack of common knowledge among patients. Below, I will introduce to all of you the precautions before discharge from hospital. Many hospitalized patients are busy preparing to go home. However, quite a lot of patients forget an extremely important thing when they are discharged from hospital--- asking doctors the following five crucial questions:

1. What is my discharge diagnosis? Am I fully recovered? How likely is it to relapse?

Discharge diagnosis can be different from admission diagnosis. During the hospitalization, after systematic observation of the condition and comprehensive examination, doctors often make corrections or supplements to the diagnosis made upon admission. Therefore, the discharge diagnosis is more accurate and comprehensive than the admission diagnosis. Especially in medical records, not only the main diagnosis of this illness is included, but also the diagnosis of other diseases suffered by the patient. Understanding these things will give you a comprehensive grasp of your own health status, which is very beneficial to future self-care.

In addition, there are three types of diseases. The first type of disease can be cured, that is, it can be completely or thoroughly treated. These diseases are mostly acute diseases, such as pneumonia, acute nephritis, type A hepatitis, acute gastritis, and some surgical diseases treated by surgery, etc. The second type of disease is a disease whose symptoms can be controlled but requires long-term medication, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, chronic hepatitis B, and some other chronic diseases. The third type of disease is a disease for which treatment can only slow down the progression of the disease, such as liver cirrhosis with ascites can only make the ascites retreat, heart disease complicated by heart failure can only control "heart failure", etc.

Different diseases should pay attention to different issues, which patients themselves often do not know much about. They should ask their attending doctor clearly so as to have a clear understanding.

2. Should I continue taking medicine after discharge? Which drugs should I use and how to use them correctly? What issues should I pay special attention to during the medication process?

This is the key to preventing recurrence, and it must be asked clearly. It's best to write it down on a notebook. According to surveys, most patients who experience worsening or recurrence of their condition after discharge don't know how to take the correct medication. Not using medication or using it improperly is one of the main reasons for the recurrence and deterioration of the condition. Many people stay in the hospital for a long time and still don't understand the nature of their illness or what medications they need. They completely rely on doctors.

3. What are the signs of recurrence or worsening of the condition? How can I detect them early?

This directly affects the efficacy of readmission treatment. Timely detection, prompt rescue, and treatment can significantly improve the cure rate; otherwise, it could lead to serious consequences. Some patients, during their first hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), delayed seeking medical care due to unawareness of the early symptoms of "MI," nearly costing them their lives. Regrettably, after being discharged, if the condition recurs and they remain negligent, failing to recognize the precursor symptoms of "MI," it leads to missed rescue opportunities, resulting in dreadful outcomes.

4. Is follow-up necessary? How often should I have a follow-up checkup? What are the key items to focus on during follow-up?

Unrecovered diseases should be regularly reviewed (or when certain signs of recurrence appear). Before discharge, you should clearly ask the doctor how often you should review? If you find which situations should be reviewed earlier? What projects should be focused on for re-examination? You must not underestimate the importance of re-examination, which is an important means to check the effect of treatment and discover recurrence or deterioration early.

5. How to conduct self-health care in daily life?

For example, some patients should strictly avoid alcohol and quit smoking, or avoid overwork, or should avoid extreme excitement. When discharged, they must consult the doctor in detail and take it as a criterion that must be followed after discharge.

Family members should actively help the patient complete this task when the patient is discharged, especially for the elderly or children, the role of family members is even more important. At the same time, hospitals should issue a health education prescription (doctor's order) to each patient at discharge, clearly stating the precautions at discharge.

I have summarized the above points for everyone, hoping to help everyone avoid unnecessary trouble.