Going Home

Ready to Return Home?

Your physician is the only person who can determine your readiness for discharge from the hospital. After your doctor has decided you can go home, your nurse will give you a summary sheet with your home care instructions, explaining how to care for yourself at home.

How Does the Discharge Process Work?

After your physician discharges you, please make arrangements to be picked up within one hour of discharge. When you have received your instructions and you have been discharged by your doctor, please put your light on and when you are ready to go home, someone will help you gather your belongings.

Will I Need to Sign Any Papers?

When you leave the hospital, you may need to stop at the Business Office to sign papers and share needed information. Comment cards are on the counter in the Business Office if you would like to take one home and mail it back to us with comments about your stay here.

What About My Medical Records?

Your health information, referred to as medical records, serves the following purposes in the delivery of quality care:

• Basis for planning your care and treatment.
• Means of communication for the many health professionals who contribute to your care.
• Legal document describing the care you received.
• Verification of services and treatment covered by your insurance.
• Basic data for health research and planning.

The healthcare professionals who care for you compile your health record. Your record is maintained by trained health information management personnel who are responsible for assuring that your health information is complete, confidential and available to you. You may reach the Health Information Management Department by calling 815-876-4414.

Will I Need Any Outpatient Education?

Your doctor may recommend ongoing outpatient education for you. The following programs are available with a referral from your physician:

• For cardiopulmonary patients who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or who have experienced heart problems, our Cardiac Rehab Department can be reached by calling (815) 876-4494.
• Diabetes instruction helps individuals and their families to better understand diabetes and learn to manage their disease though lifestyle changes. Please contact our Dietitian at (815) 876-4448.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a monitored, supervised exercise and educational program offered to patients with diagnosed chronic pulmonary disease. Please contact our Respiratory Care Department at (815) 876-2276.
• Medical Rehabilitation will help you to regain and maintain your optimal mobility and health. It is performed by our professional and skilled Rehabilitation Services Team. The department offers sports rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, pulmonary and cardiac rehab, continence therapy, lymphedema therapy, low back rehabilitation and more. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (815) 876-4494.