One of the most common terms heard in inpatient hospital settings throughout the country currently is “length
of stay.” This essentially refers to how long a patient occupies a bed in a hospital. The objective of some
hospitals is to minimize the length of stay in an effort to contain costs. Due to most hospitals’ priority of keeping
length of stay as short as possible, discharge planning begins upon admission to the hospital. It is a process
that capitalizes on social worker’s engagement, assessment, and planning skills.
An effective discharge plan ensures that a patient is being discharged to a safe environment that is conducive
to healing and recovery. In some cases, this is different from the environment they were living in prior to the
hospitalization. In addition, the discharge plan must adequately meet the patient’s medical needs outside of the
hospital environment. This can include coordinating follow-up medical appointments and appropriate therapies,
ordering medical equipment, arranging home health care, placing the patient in a skilled nursing facility, and
linking the patient to supportive community resources. Constructing a discharge plan requires hospital social
workers to collaborate with the patient, his or her family, caregivers, medical team, and community resources.
To prepare for this Discussion, think about the components of discharge planning and the individuals involved
in discharge planning. Consider medical social work practice skills within the generalist intervention model as
discussed in Discussion 1 this week. Examine the factors involved in creating a discharge plan for a patient in
a hospital setting. Consider the specific roles a medical social worker plays in creating a discharge plan.
Sample Solution