title: Beef up your discharge planning processes, experts recommend.
abstract: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is increasing its emphasis on discharge planning and has developed a worksheet for surveyors to use to determine if hospitals are in compliance with the Conditions of Participation. Hospitals must have discharge policies and procedures in writing and must be able to show that they are following them. Discharge planning assessments should be comprehensive and include the patient's psychosocial needs as well as medical needs and should take into consideration whether patients can safely go back to their previous setting. Communication with post-acute providers is essential to create smooth transitions and identify any gaps in information.
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States