ADMISSION, TRANSFER, AND DISCHARGE

ADMISSION

entry of a patient into the health care facility

HEALTH CARE FACILITY

any agency that provides health care
the patient is usually very concerned about health problems or potential health problems and the potential outcome of treatment.

THE FIRST CONTACT WITH NURSES

and health care workers is important; anxiety and fears can be lessened and a positive attitude regarding the care to be received can be initiated

ADMISSION ROUTINES THAT ARE

efficient and show appropriate concern for the patient can ease anxiety and promote cooperation and positive response to treatment
HIPAA

THE NURSE CAN ANTICIPATE SOME COMMON REACTION:

fear of the unknown
loss of identity
disorientation
separation anxiety
loneliness

ADMITTING DEPARTMENT (information usually includes)

name, address, telephone number
age, birth date
social security number
next of kin
insurance company, policy number
place of employment
physician's name
reason for admission

ID BAND IS PREPARED AND PUT ON THE PATIENT'S WRIST. (admitting department)

information includes
patient's name
age
admitting number
physician's name
room number

TELEPHONE ADMISSION

the day before a planned admission, a clerk from the admitting office calls the patient at home and gathers all the information needed to begin the records.
instructions are given regarding time to arrive at the hospital, items to bring to the hospital, a

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

people brought to the emergency department may be admitted directly to a patient care room or a special care unit, intensive care unit, coronary care unit, or burn unit.
a family member goes to the admitting office to provide the necessary information

WHEN THE UNIT STAFF ARE NOTIFIED THAT A NEW PATIENT IS BEING ESCORTED TO A ROOM,

the room should be made ready. the room should be
clean and neat
of appropriate temperature
have personal care items in place
any special equipment should be placed and ready when the patient arrives.

GREETING THE PATIENT BY NAME AND MAKING THE PATIENT FEEL WELCOME IS

one of the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS of the admission procedure.
Regardless of the time or activity occurring on the unit, the nurse should be courteous to, interested in, and receptive of the new patient.
the new patient should be given an orientation to th

THE HOSPITAL ROUTINE SHOULD BE EXPLAINED:

when meals are served
when family and friends may visit
when laboratory or diagnostic imaging evaluations are scheduled
when the physician usually makes rounds
policy on use of side rails
many hospitals have booklets for the patient that explain these rou

ADMITTING PROCEDURE ON THE PATIENT CARE UNIT

check the ID band and verify the information with the patient.
assess immediate needs such as pain, shortness of breath, or severe anxiety.
introduce roommate, if one is present

WHEN ADMITTING THE PATIENT TO THE PATIENT CARE UNIT, JEWELRY, MONEY

and medications should be given to the family to take home.

IF NO FAMILY IS PRESENT VALUABLES MUST BE

put int the hospital safe. follow the hospital policy.

SOME FACILITIES REQUIRE ALL MEDICATIONS BROUGHT IN BY THE PATIENT BE SENT TO THE

pharmacy to be identified; they are then returned to the patient upon dismissal.

THE PATIENT IS USUALLY ASKED TO PUT ON

pajamas or hospital gown; the nurse may need to help the patient change clothes.
clothing should be inventoried along with other personal items the patient uses.

JEWELRY AND MONEY KEPT IN THE ROOM MUST BE

recorded.

ONCE THE PATIENT IS ESTABLISHED IN THE ROOM

take the health history
perform the initial assessment
admission assessment must be prepared by a Registered nurse
aspects of the data collection may then be delegated by the RN to the LPN/LVN
the physician is notified when the patient has been admitted.

TRANSFERRING THE PATIENT

the changing condition of a patient, whether improved or more critical, may require transfer either to another unit in the hospital or to another health care institution, such as a nursing home or rehabilitation hospital.
THE PATIENT TRANSFER REQUIRES
tho

PREPARATION (PATIENT TRANSFER)

explain transfer to patient and family; discuss the patient's condition and plan of care with the staff of the receiving unit or facility; arrangements for transportation

DOCUMENTATION (PATIENT TRANSFER) (FIB)

preparation includes an explanation of the transfer to the patient and family, discussion of the patient's condition and plan of care with the staff of the receiving unit or facility, and arrangements for transportation, if necessary
the patient's conditi

DISCHARGE PLANNING

systemic process of planning for patient care after discharge from the hospital.

although discharge from a health care facility is usually consider routine, EFFECTIVE DISCHARGE REQUIRES

careful planning and continuing assessment of the patient's needs during hospitalization.

IDEALLY, DISCHARGING PLANNING BEGINS SHORTLY AFTER

admission.
teach the patient and family about the patient's illness and its effect on his or her lifestyle.
provide instructions for home care
communicate dietary or activity instructions.
explain the purpose, adverse effects, and scheduling of medication

TRANSITIONAL CARE

another approach to discharge planning using transition specialist.

TRANSITIONAL SPECIALISTS

begin discharge planning and usually makes a home visit before the patient is discharge.

COMMUNICATION AMONG THE PATIENT, FAMILY, AND HEALTH CARE AGENCIES IS

ESSENTIAL for effective discharge planning

DISCHARGE SUMMARY

includes patient's learning needs, how well they were met, the patient teaching completed, short-and long-term goals of care, referrals made, and coordinate care plan to be implemented after discharge.

REFERRALS FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES

a patient may require the services of various disciplines within a hospital.
the nurse is OFTEN THE FIRST to recognize the patient's needs
referrals should be made as soon as possible after patient's need is identified
in many agencies, a physician's orde

VARIOUS HEALTH DISCIPLINES (referrals for health care services)

Dietitian
Social worker
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Speech therapist
Clinical nurse specialist
Home health care nurse

DISCHARGING THE PATIENT

many hospitals have a form with written instructions and teaching documentation for the patient to sign and acknowledge understanding of the instructions.
these instructions serve as a guide for the patient to use at home

DISCHARGE: Against Medical Advice (AMA)

this is when the patient leaves a health care facility without a physician's order for discharge.
Notify the physician immediately.
if the physician fails to convince the patient to remain in the facility, the physician will ask the patient to sign an AMA

As nurses today, we have to care for patients from many different cultures and backgrounds. the following are ideas/beliefs from the JAPANESE culture about how illness is caused.

Contact with blood
Contact with skin disease
Improper care of the body
Lack of sleep

INTRAAGENCY TRANSFERS

moving a patient from one unit to another

SEPARATION ANXIETY CAN BE EXPRESSED IN CHILDREN BY

crying

SEPARATION ANXIETY CAN BE EXPRESSED IN older ADULTS BY

quietness
or
very talkative

THE NURSE CAN HELP DECREASE THE ANXIETY OF ADMISSION OF THE PATIENT BY

providing a warm, caring attitude.
courtesy and empathy (ability to recognize and to some extent share the emotions and state of mind of another and to understand the meaning and significance of that person's behavior)
to help them adapt, treat patients w

MANY HAITIANS BELIEVE THAT LEAVES HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN HEALING. (cultural sensitivity) (FIB)

you will sometimes find leaves in the clothes and on various parts of the body. LEAVES ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE MYSTICAL POWER RELATED TO REGAINING OR KEEPING HEALTH

THE OLDER ADULT SOMETIMES EXHIBITS (FIB)

disorientation or depression related to the stress caused by hospitalization

IF PATIENT HAS DIFFICULTY PAYING WHAT DO WE DO

SOCIAL WORKER
-assists finding financial resources to cover medical costs
-provide counseling for major life crises such as terminal illness and family problems
-assists in finding community resources such as equipment after discharge from a hospital

THE JOINT COMMISSION (TJC) (2008) REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PATIENTS LEAVE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES: (MA) (discharge standards)

-Safe and effective use of medications and medical equipment
-Instruction on nutrition and modified diets
-Rehabilitation techniques to support adaptation to and / functional independence in the environment
-Access to available community resources as need

DISCHARGE PLANNING INVOLVES
(discharge standards) (MA)

MULTIDISCIPLINARY action with participation by all members of the HEALTH CARE TEAM, THE PATIENT, AND THE PATIENT'S FAMILY.
MANY LARGER HOSPITAL HAVE DISCHARGE PLANNERS OR COORDINATORS; THEY ORCHESTRATE THE DISCHARGE PLANNING

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE ADMISSION PROCESS IS

greeting the patient by name and making the patient feel welcome