Walking out of the hospital with a stack of discharge papers can feel like stepping into another world. The hospital is loud, busy, and full of people who seem to understand what’s going on. Home is quiet, uncertain, and suddenly your responsibility.
In that moment, those discharge orders become the bridge between two very different environments.
The problem is that they’re written in medical language that most families were never taught to understand.
This guide breaks everything down clearly, calmly, and in plain English so you know exactly how to use discharge orders to keep your loved one safe during the crucial first days at home.
If you want more support navigating the system, visit the Care System Education Hub.
1. Why Discharge Orders Matter More Than You Think
Discharge orders are not just paperwork. They are the official medical plan for what happens once your loved one leaves the hospital. They explain:
- What the diagnosis actually means
- What tests were done
- What treatments were given
- What the medical team expects in the next 72 hours
- Which medications start, stop, or change
- What activities are safe
- What symptoms require urgent action
- Which follow-up appointments are needed
- What services are coming to the home
If any part of this is unclear, you are not alone. Most families leave the hospital with more questions than answers.
This guide is here to change that.
2. What’s Inside Discharge Orders (Broken Down Simply)
Every hospital uses different formatting, but almost all discharge packets contain the following sections.
A. Discharge Summary
This explains why the patient was admitted and what treatments they received. It will include:
- Final diagnosis
- Imaging results
- Lab results
- Treatments
- Progress made
- Reason they were cleared to go home
Focus on the parts that explain the diagnosis and expected recovery timeline.
If anything reads like a medical biography instead of something useful, ask a nurse to clarify before leaving.
B. Medication Instructions
This is the most important section in the entire packet.
You should clearly understand:
- Which medications are new
- Which medications should stop
- Which ones stay the same
- Exact times they should be taken
- How long to take them
- Major side effects to watch for
- Symptoms that require calling the doctor
Medication mistakes are one of the top reasons people return to the hospital. Take your time with this section.
If you need a step-by-step guide, read The Hospital Discharge Checklist Every Family Caregiver Wishes They Had.
C. Activity and Mobility Instructions
This section tells you what is safe and what is not, including:
- Walking
- Climbing stairs
- Lifting limits
- Showering
- Driving
- Returning to normal routines
Most families assume their loved one can do more than they actually can.
Err on the side of caution, especially if there was weakness, dizziness, or confusion in the hospital.
D. Diet Instructions
Common orders include:
- Low-sodium
- Heart-healthy
- Carbohydrate-controlled
- Soft foods
- No alcohol
- No caffeine
- NPO (nothing by mouth) before a procedure
If you’re told to follow a diet but you’re given no examples, ask which foods to avoid for the first 72 hours.
E. Wound or Incision Care
If surgery or wound care was involved, this section outlines:
- How to clean the area
- How often to change dressings
- When bathing is safe
- Signs of infection
- When sutures or staples should be removed
Make sure you feel confident performing any necessary care before leaving the hospital.
F. Home Health Instructions
If home health was ordered, discharge orders should list:
- The name of the agency
- What services were ordered
- Expected timeline for first contact
- How often visits should occur
If home health has not contacted you within 48 hours, go to What to Do When Home Health Never Shows Up.
G. Follow-Up Appointments
This is a major point of confusion.
A follow-up listed in the discharge orders does not always mean the appointment is scheduled. You need to confirm:
- Which appointments are scheduled
- Which ones you must schedule
- How soon each appointment should happen
- What to do if the office cannot schedule you in time
If you don’t know who oversees the entire plan, read Who’s Actually in Charge of Your Parent’s Care.
3. The 7 Documents You Should Always Request
Most families don’t know these are available, but they are extremely helpful:
- Full discharge summary (not just the patient version)
- Medication reconciliation list
- All imaging reports
- All lab results
- Procedure notes (if any)
- Physical therapy evaluation
- Occupational therapy evaluation
Ask for printed or digital versions before leaving.
4. How to Read Discharge Orders Without Getting Overwhelmed
Break everything into four key questions:
1. What happened in the hospital?
(Use the summary to understand the diagnosis and treatment.)
2. What do we need to do next?
(Medications, home health, equipment, activity restrictions.)
3. What symptoms do we need to watch for?
(Red flags, expected symptoms, when to act.)
4. Who do we contact if something goes wrong?
(Primary care doctor, specialist, home health, or emergency services.)
Once you can answer these, you have a solid plan.
5. Red Flags Hidden Inside Discharge Orders
Some warnings are easy to miss because they’re buried in medical text. Watch for:
- New or worsening confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Sudden weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Fever above 100.4
- No urine output
- Severe vomiting
- Uncontrolled pain
- Falls
- Difficulty swallowing
- Skin that looks pale, blue, or gray
Any of these require immediate attention.
6. The First 72 Hours: What to Expect
The first three days at home are the most important.
Here is your timeline.
Within 24 Hours
- Fill all prescriptions
- Create the medication schedule
- Confirm follow-up appointments
- Make sure your loved one can walk safely
- Plan meals based on dietary instructions
- Expect fatigue
Within 48 Hours
- Call home health if no one has contacted you
- Check the wound or incision
- Re-read the discharge orders
- Watch closely for side effects
- Monitor bowel and bladder patterns
- Track any changes in mobility or alertness
Within 72 Hours
- Confirm specialty follow-ups
- Evaluate whether symptoms are improving
- Write down any new concerns
- Contact the primary care doctor if anything remains unclear
- Reassess safety at home
7. What Most Doctors Assume You Know (But They Rarely Say Out Loud)
Doctors often assume families understand:
- The diagnosis
- The expected recovery
- The medication plan
- Who is responsible for each part of care
- How quickly they should improve
- What counts as normal vs concerning
- What to do if problems arise
- Which doctor to call
This is why so many families feel lost once they get home.
You are not doing anything wrong – you were simply not taught how the system works.
8. What to Do If The Discharge Orders Don’t Make Sense
If any part of the instructions feels incomplete or contradictory, follow this path:
- Call the hospital nurse’s station
- Ask for the discharging nurse or the charge nurse
- Ask for a line-by-line explanation
- If unreachable, call the primary care doctor
- If something seems unsafe, go back to the emergency department
You’re allowed to ask for clarity. You’re allowed to slow things down.
You’re allowed to ensure your loved one is safe.
9. When You Need Extra Support Navigating Everything
Discharge orders are dense, confusing, and often written in terms families weren’t taught.
If you want someone to sit with you and walk you through each page:
Book a 1:1 Concierge Nursing Session
You’ll get:
- A clear review of the discharge instructions
- A custom 72-hour home plan
- Medication guidance
- A breakdown of what symptoms matter
- Help calling agencies
- A safety plan
- A direct communication strategy
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Screenshot This: Discharge Orders Decoder
Key Essentials:
Watch for red flags
Identify new vs stopped medications
Confirm follow-up appointments
Understand the next 72 hours
Know who to contact
Clarify home health services
Review wound care
Confirm activity limits
