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What Challenges Do Discharge Planners Face?

July 22, 2018

Social Workers Facilitate Discharge and Support for Patient and Family After Hospitalization, Presented by BrightStar Care of Boise

When a patient is ready for discharge after a hospitalization, they are referred to a hospital social worker or discharge planner. The challenges faced by hospital social workers are related to a patient's ability to care for themselves and recover safely at home.  

Examples of challenging situations that discharge planners face:

  • The patient may be insufficiently recovered from the acute health condition to take care of themselves

  • The patient may be mentally confused, emotionally depressed, or otherwise mentally impaired, either permanently or temporarily

  • The patient may have a new baby with special needs, but has never cared for an infant before

​The primary role of social workers is to facilitate discharge, and support the patient and family. Social workers have numerous opportunities to interact with and influence the patient and family, to help the patient recover successfully at home.  They play a big part in setting the patient up for success while they recover, and they provide important resources to patients.

BrightStar Care of Boise works closely with social workers and discharge planners in Idaho to ensure continuation of care after a hospital stay or medical procedure.  

To learn more about our transitional care services and how we support patient care and treatment at home, please visit our website.





Source:  https://www.caregiver.org/hospital-discharge-planning-guide-families-and-caregivers