What should I check before leaving hospital?

Before leaving hospital, check your medicines, follow-up appointments, warning signs, wound or activity instructions, transport home, home support, and who to contact if symptoms worsen.

Why is hospital discharge a risky time?

Discharge can be risky because medicines may change, recovery instructions can be confusing, symptoms may return, and support at home may not yet be in place.

Who should review medicines after hospital?

A doctor, pharmacist, or primary care clinician can help review medicine changes, check for duplicates, and explain what to take, stop, or monitor.

When should I seek urgent help after discharge?

Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, new weakness, signs of stroke, severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, high fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

What if I do not feel safe going home?

Tell the hospital team before discharge if you cannot manage medicines, walking, toileting, meals, wound care, transport, or basic safety at home.

Hospital Discharge and Recovery: What to Check Before Going Home

Introduction

Leaving hospital can feel like a relief — but the transition home is one of the highest-risk moments in a person’s healthcare journey. Medicines change, instructions can be complex, and the support needed at home may not yet be in place.

This guide is for patients, families, and carers preparing for hospital discharge or recovering at home after an admission. It covers what to check before leaving, how to manage medicines safely, when to follow up, how to recognise warning signs, and when to seek urgent help.

It does not replace the discharge instructions provided by your hospital. Each admission and each person is different. This guide is intended to help you understand the process, ask better questions, and feel more prepared — not to serve as individual medical advice.

Key Points

Hospital discharge is a high-risk transition — preparation reduces the chance of readmission
Know your medicines: what changed, what stopped, what was added, and who to ask if you are unsure
Book follow-up appointments before or immediately after discharge — do not wait until symptoms return
Know the warning signs specific to your condition, and know exactly who to call or where to go
Falls risk is elevated after any hospital stay; address home safety before discharge if possible
If you do not feel safe going home, say so — it is always better to raise concerns before leaving
Carers and family need information and support too; include them in discharge conversations where possible

Why Hospital Discharge Matters

Research consistently shows that the weeks immediately after hospital discharge carry an elevated risk of complications, readmission, and medication errors. This is not because the hospital has done anything wrong — it reflects the genuine complexity of transitioning from a highly monitored clinical environment back to everyday life.

Common problems in the post-discharge period include:

Medication errors — doses changed in hospital may not be communicated clearly; old supplies at home may conflict with new prescriptions
Missed follow-up — blood tests, specialist review, or wound checks not arranged before discharge
Unrecognised warning signs — symptoms that indicate deterioration are not understood or acted on promptly
Inadequate support — the level of help needed at home is greater than what is available
Deconditioning — muscle weakness, fatigue, and reduced mobility after even short admissions

Understanding these risks is the first step to managing them.

Before Leaving Hospital: The Essential Checklist

Before you leave, make sure you have clear answers to the following. If anything is unclear, ask your nurse, doctor, or discharge coordinator before you go.

Your Diagnosis and What Happened

What was the main reason for admission?
Were any new diagnoses made during the stay?
What investigations were done, and what did they show?
Are any test results still pending, and how will you be notified?

Your Medicines

Do you have a complete updated medication list?
Which medicines were started, stopped, or had doses changed?
Do you have enough supply to last until your GP review?
Who should you contact if you have questions about your medicines?

Follow-Up Appointments

When do you need to see your GP or primary care clinician?
Are there specialist follow-up appointments, and have they been booked?
Are there blood tests or imaging arranged, and when?
Who books these, and do you have the details?

Wound, Procedure, or Device Instructions

Are there written instructions for wound care, dressing changes, or restrictions?
What signs should prompt you to contact the team?
When should stitches, clips, or drains be reviewed or removed?

Activity and Physical Restrictions

Are there limits on driving, lifting, stairs, or exercise?
When can you return to work or usual activities?
Is physiotherapy or rehabilitation needed?

Warning Signs

What specific symptoms mean you should seek urgent help?
Is there a hospital helpline you can call with questions?

Transport and Practical Matters

Has transport home been arranged?
Do you have someone to stay with you, or check in on you, in the first 24–48 hours?
Will you be able to manage meals, medications, and basic personal care at home?

Medicines After Discharge

Medicines are the most common source of problems after hospital discharge. A hospital admission often involves medicines being started, stopped, or changed — and getting this right at home requires clarity.

What May Have Changed

New medicines — started during admission to treat your condition
Stopped medicines — medicines that were paused or ceased; do not restart old medicines without advice from your GP or pharmacist
Changed doses — a medicine you were taking may now be prescribed at a different dose
Medicines held temporarily — some medicines (particularly blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney medicines) are held during acute illness and need to be restarted when your condition stabilises; your GP or pharmacist will advise on timing

Important Medicine Groups to Clarify

Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): Medicines such as warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, clopidogrel, and aspirin require specific instructions about when and how to take them. Missed doses or incorrect doses carry real risks. Check with your team before discharge.

Diabetes medicines: Insulin doses and oral medicines may need adjustment during recovery, particularly if your appetite or food intake changes. Do not adjust doses on your own — contact your GP or diabetes team promptly.

Blood pressure and heart medicines: These are sometimes held during acute illness and restarted when blood pressure and kidney function have stabilised. Ask explicitly whether these should be restarted and when.

Kidney medicine considerations: Many medicines are dose-adjusted based on kidney function. If your kidneys were stressed during admission, your team may have changed doses or stopped certain medicines. See Managing Chronic Kidney Disease for more on this.

Pain medicines: Short-term pain medicines (including opioids after surgery) need clear instructions about dose, duration, and when to taper or stop. Do not continue them beyond the intended course without review.

Antibiotics: If you were prescribed antibiotics, complete the full course as directed — even if you feel better. Do not share antibiotics or use old supplies.

Pharmacist Review

A pharmacist — in the hospital, at a community pharmacy, or through a home medicines review programme — can help you understand your full medicine list, identify duplicates or conflicts, check doses, and explain any changes. This is one of the most valuable things you can arrange after discharge. For a detailed guide to medicine safety at and after discharge, see Medication Safety.

Follow-Up Appointments and Tests

Follow-up is not optional. Many complications of hospitalisation — infection, medication problems, recurrent symptoms, missed diagnoses — are identified at follow-up. Do not wait until you feel unwell to book an appointment.

General Practitioner (GP) or Primary Care Clinician

Most people should see their GP within one to two weeks of discharge, or sooner if recommended. Your GP can review the discharge summary, check your medicines, arrange blood tests, and coordinate ongoing care. If you do not have a regular GP, arrange one as a priority.

Specialist Review

If you were under the care of a cardiologist, renal physician, neurologist, respiratory physician, surgeon, or other specialist, confirm whether and when follow-up with that team is needed. This is sometimes arranged by the hospital, but not always — check before you leave.

Blood Tests and Imaging

After some admissions, blood tests are needed to check kidney function, electrolytes, blood counts, medication levels, or other parameters. Confirm what tests are needed, when they should be done, and who reviews the results. Do not assume no news is good news.

Rehabilitation and Allied Health

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietitian review, or other allied health input may be needed as part of your recovery plan. If these were recommended in hospital, ask how they will be arranged at home or in the community.

Wound Checks

If you had surgery, a procedure, or a wound, confirm when it should be checked and by whom. Some wounds require specialist review; others can be managed by your GP or practice nurse.

Mobility and Falls Risk

Any hospital admission carries a risk of deconditioning — a reduction in physical function caused by bed rest, reduced activity, illness, and the hospital environment itself. Even a short admission can cause meaningful loss of muscle strength, balance, and confidence.

This matters because deconditioning and falls risk are closely linked. Falling after discharge is one of the most common causes of readmission in older adults.

Why Deconditioning Happens

Reduced activity and time in bed weaken muscles quickly
Illness itself depletes energy and muscle mass
Medicines may affect balance, blood pressure, and alertness
The home environment may be less safe than it was before admission

What Helps

Early mobilisation — getting up and moving as soon as it is safe to do so, with support if needed
Physiotherapy — a physiotherapist can assess your strength, balance, and gait, and provide an exercise programme matched to your current ability
Walking aids — if a frame, cane, or other aid is recommended, use it consistently until it is safe not to
Home safety assessment — an occupational therapist can identify and help address hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting, stairs without rails, or a bathroom without grab rails

For a detailed guide to managing fall risk, see Falls Prevention. For those with pre-existing frailty, see Frailty: What It Means and How to Reduce Risk and Sarcopenia.

Eating, Hydration, Bowels, and Sleep

Recovery requires adequate nutrition, hydration, and rest. These can all be disrupted after hospital.

Appetite and Nutrition

Reduced appetite after illness is common. It can be caused by the illness itself, medicines, nausea, pain, or simply the disruption of routine. Poor nutrition after hospital admission slows recovery, contributes to muscle loss, and can increase falls risk.

Aim for regular meals even if appetite is reduced; small, frequent meals may help
Prioritise protein-rich foods to support muscle repair and recovery
If appetite remains very poor or you are losing weight unintentionally, contact your GP
If you were referred to a dietitian, follow through with this referral

Hydration

Dehydration can worsen kidney function, cause dizziness and falls, impair cognition, and slow recovery. Aim to drink adequate fluids — usually around 6–8 cups daily for most adults — unless your team has advised fluid restriction for heart failure, kidney problems, or another reason.

Bowels

Constipation is extremely common after hospitalisation and is often underestimated as a cause of discomfort and distress. Contributing factors include reduced activity, dehydration, changes in diet, and opiate pain medicines. If you were prescribed pain medicines on discharge, ask about a bowel care plan.

Sleep

Sleep is often disrupted during hospital admission and in the early weeks at home. This is normal but can affect recovery, mood, and cognitive function. If sleep problems are persistent or severe, discuss this with your GP.

Wound, Procedure, or Device Care

If you had surgery, a procedure, or have wounds, drains, catheters, or other devices, you should leave hospital with clear written instructions. If these were not provided, ask before discharge.

Signs of Wound Infection

Contact your doctor promptly if you notice:

Increasing redness, warmth, or swelling around a wound
New or worsening pain at a wound site
Discharge of pus or fluid with an unusual smell
Wound edges opening or separating
Fever alongside wound concerns

Bleeding

Some ooze from wounds in the first day or two is normal. Heavier or increasing bleeding from a wound, procedure site, or drain site should be assessed urgently.

Drains, Catheters, and Lines

If you go home with a drain, urinary catheter, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), or other device, you should have specific written instructions about care, output monitoring, and signs to watch for. Community nursing can support management at home where needed.

Recovery After Common Hospital Problems

Different admissions have different recovery trajectories. Below are brief notes on conditions that frequently lead to hospitalisation.

After Stroke

Stroke recovery is a prolonged process involving rehabilitation across physical, communication, cognitive, and emotional domains. Medicines for secondary prevention — blood pressure, cholesterol, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy — are critical. Falls risk is elevated. See Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation for a detailed guide.

After Heart Attack or Heart Failure

After a heart attack, cardiac rehabilitation — a structured programme of exercise, education, and psychological support — is strongly recommended. Medicines including antiplatelets, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and cholesterol-lowering therapy are typically continued long-term. If you have heart failure, daily weight monitoring and fluid management are important. See Heart Disease and Circulation and Heart Failure Overview.

After COPD or Pneumonia

Recovery from acute respiratory illness requires attention to breathing, activity, nutrition, and — for COPD — optimised inhaler technique and smoking cessation. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended. Return to smoking significantly worsens prognosis. See COPD.

After Surgery

Post-surgical recovery depends on the type and extent of surgery. General principles include: wound care as instructed, gradual return to activity as guided by your team, pain management, and awareness of complications including infection, bleeding, and deep vein thrombosis.

After Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can leave lasting effects including fatigue, weakness, sleep problems, anxiety, and cognitive changes — sometimes called post-sepsis syndrome. Recovery can take weeks to months. Contact your GP if you are struggling more than expected in the weeks after discharge. See Sepsis.

After Kidney Problems

Acute kidney injury during hospitalisation requires careful monitoring of kidney function after discharge, review of medicines that may affect the kidneys, and attention to hydration. Some people may need nephrology follow-up. See Chronic Kidney Disease Hub and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease.

After Falls or Fractures

Recovery from a fall-related fracture — particularly hip fracture — requires rehabilitation, bone health assessment, and a fall prevention plan. See Falls Prevention and Frailty.

After Delirium or Confusion

Delirium — acute confusion that develops during illness or hospitalisation — can take weeks or months to fully resolve. Cognitive function may remain impaired for a period. If there was delirium during admission, inform the GP and family. This can sometimes trigger or accelerate underlying dementia. See Dementia Caregiving if ongoing cognitive concerns arise.

Carer and Family Planning

Hospital discharge does not just affect the patient — it places real demands on carers and family members. Planning ahead reduces stress and reduces the risk of problems being missed.

What Carers and Family Should Know

The diagnosis, what happened during the admission, and what changed
The current medicine list and how to manage or help with medicines
Appointment dates and what needs to be arranged
Warning signs to watch for, and who to call or where to go
What physical tasks the person can and cannot manage independently
How to support nutrition, hydration, and personal care where needed

Practical Coordination

Who is responsible for meals, shopping, and transport?
Who is checking in each day, particularly in the first two weeks?
If multiple people are helping, is there a shared plan or communication approach?

Carer Wellbeing and Respite

Caring is demanding. Carer strain — burnout, exhaustion, anxiety, and social isolation — is a genuine health risk. Carers should be honest with themselves and with health providers about what they can manage. Respite services, community support programmes, and carer support organisations exist for this reason. For more on recognising and managing carer strain, see Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Support, and When to Ask for Help.

When Home May Not Be Safe

Some people are not ready to go home when discharge is planned. It is important to say so before leaving hospital, rather than struggling or deteriorating at home.

Tell the hospital team if you have concerns about managing:

Medicines — if you cannot reliably take the right medicines at the right times
Mobility — if you cannot walk safely, manage stairs, transfer from bed or chair, or reach the toilet
Meals — if no-one will be providing food or you cannot prepare meals independently
Wound or device care — if dressing changes or device care cannot be managed at home without support
Personal hygiene — if showering, dressing, or toileting are not manageable without help
Carer capacity — if the person who was going to help you cannot manage the level of care needed
Home hazards — if the home environment (stairs, bathroom, bed height, clutter) makes safe function impossible
Worsening or unresolved symptoms — if you are still unwell and worried about coping alone

In Australia, hospital social workers, discharge planners, and My Aged Care services can assist with home care packages, transitional care, and residential care assessment if a return home is not safe at this time.

When to Seek Urgent Help

After discharge, seek emergency care (call 000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, or 911 in the US, or go to the nearest emergency department) if you develop:

Chest pain, pressure, or tightness — particularly if radiating to the arm, jaw, or back
Severe or worsening breathlessness — especially at rest or lying flat
Fainting or collapse
Signs of stroke — sudden facial drooping, arm or leg weakness, speech difficulty, or vision changes (see FAST/BEFAST)
New confusion, disorientation, or delirium
Uncontrolled bleeding from a wound, device site, or internally
High fever with worsening illness — particularly if infection is a concern
Severe or rapidly worsening pain
Signs of wound infection that are spreading rapidly or associated with fever
Inability to pass urine — particularly after urological surgery, catheter removal, or prostate procedures
Severe vomiting or diarrhoea with inability to keep down medicines or fluids
Sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening swelling in a limb (which may indicate deep vein thrombosis)
Any sudden neurological change in someone recovering from stroke or neurosurgery

If you are unsure, call your local health advice line (healthdirect on 1800 022 222 in Australia, 111 in the UK) before going to an emergency department. If in doubt about serious symptoms, do not wait — seek emergency help.

Questions to Ask Before Discharge

Use these as prompts before leaving hospital. You may wish to write down the answers.

What was I admitted for, and what is my current diagnosis?
Are there any test results still pending, and who will contact me with results?
What medicines have changed — what was started, stopped, or adjusted?
Do I have enough supply of all medicines to last until my GP review?
When do I need to see my GP, and has the appointment been booked?
Are there specialist appointments or blood tests I need to arrange?
What warning signs should prompt me to seek urgent help?
Who can I call with questions about my medicines or recovery?
Are there restrictions on driving, lifting, work, or exercise?
If I have a wound or device, what do I need to watch for at home?
Has home support been arranged if I need it?
Is there written information I can take home about my condition and recovery?