Arrival and Discharge Guide
Discharge
Your doctor will tell you when you can expect to be discharged. Your nurse will confirm that needed arrangements have been completed. If you are leaving at lunch time, a boxed lunch is available for you and the person taking you home, if needed. Our preferred discharge time is 12 noon.
Questions
Call (803) 791-2430
Pick-Up Locations and Phone Numbers
North Tower Patient Pick-Up
Radiology
(803) 791-2460
4th Floor
(803) 936-7374
5th Floor
(803) 936-7375
6th Floor
(803) 936-7376
7th Floor
(803) 936-7377
East Tower Patient Pick-Up
Endoscopy
(803) 791-2343
Infusion
(803) 791-2287
Outpatient Surgery
(803) 791-2448
Discharge Planning
Discharge planning includes assessment of your care needs, as well as your living situation and resources. Even if your discharge date is unknown, start planning early for your needs after you leave the hospital.
You and your family are key to your plan. Others who may be involved include your doctor, nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nutritionists, social workers, utilization review specialists and financial counselors.
Care After Discharge
You may go home with little need for additional care or services, or there may be treatments that you need to continue.
If specialized treatment is needed, services may include home health, hospice, durable medical equipment and/or infusion services. Under the direction of your doctor, your social worker can discuss options with you and arrange services.
Sometimes an illness, surgery, or personal situation may make it difficult to continue your recovery at home. In this case, your doctor and social worker will talk with you and your family about options for care. These options may include skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, assisted living facilities and medical day care centers.
What You Can Expect When Arriving and Leaving the Hospital
Prior to Arrival
For pre-arranged procedures or health care tests, please familiarize yourself with your physician’s instructions prior to your arrival on the designated day. Follow guidelines for diet and other preparations.
If your insurance company needs you to fulfill pre-certification, pre-authorization or second opinion requirements before you arrive at the hospital, please be sure that you are in compliance with their procedures and have the necessary paperwork complete. Your preregistration, completed prior to the date of your procedure, will make the arrival process easier.
We encourage all patients to arrange to have a support person bring them to the hospital and pick them up at time of discharge.
When You Arrive
When you arrive at the hospital’s North Tower entrance, check in at the information desk. You and the person accompanying you will be taken to the waiting room, where a volunteer will assist you with any questions before the next step of preparing you for surgery. Your support person is welcome to stay in any of the designated waiting areas that are comfortably situated and appointed for their convenience.
At the appropriate time, for your privacy, you will be taken to the pre-op area to prepare you for surgery. Parents of young children will be allowed to stay with the child until the time of surgery. Children may bring a small, quiet toy with them.
Shortly after you arrive at the hospital your physician and nurse establish a plan of care developed to meet your specific needs. Part of the plan includes making a preliminary plan for your discharge.
Emergency Arrivals
Emergency medical situations are to proceed directly to the Emergency Department, where the staff will efficiently proceed to arrange expert care.
Further Resources for Patients
Maps & Directions
Find your way around the main campus and surrounding area.
Appointments and Pre-Registration
How to arrange for admission to Lexington Medical Center.
Visitors section
Complete Information and resources for visiting patients.
