We want to make your child’s transition from Hopkins Children’s to home as smooth as possible, which is why we begin planning your child’s discharge the day of admission. You will participate in discharge planning and learn about any continuing care your child may need at home.
Discharge Planning
If your child’s hospital stay is short and uncomplicated, discharge planning is a simple process. Your health care team will plan with you when your child will go home and what you will need. If the stay is longer or more complex, a nurse case manager or nurse discharge coordinator will help make special arrangements for home care. If your child needs medications at home, you may have prescriptions filled at your local pharmacy or at one of two pharmacies in the hospital (one on the first level of the Outpatient Building, the other on the first level of the The Johns Hopkins Weinberg Outpatient Pharmacy located in The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (Ceremonial Lobby).
If your child will need special equipment or visits by a home care nurse, we will provide a list of home care companies approved by your insurance company. We will work with you and the company to make sure you have the equipment, supplies, medications and support you need. If you have any questions about going home, please write them down as you think of them and ask your care team.
The Day of Discharge
On your child’s day of discharge, please make arrangements to take your child home as soon as possible, as other children may be waiting for a bed. At discharge you will need the following:
- Clothes and shoes for your child
- An infant/child car seat
- Any special equipment your child may need
At home you may need the following:
- Soup
- Popsicles
- Soft drinks
- Juice
- Aspirin-free pain relief.
- Children’s books, especially books about hospitals and doctors.