Going home is an important event, but before you leave the hospital, an order for your discharge must be written by your physician. Your physician usually writes your discharge order while making rounds. Please ask your nurse about the procedure relating to your discharge. Your nurse also will request assistance for you when you are ready to depart. Please have someone available to take you home so that you do not leave the hospital alone.

There may be last-minute arrangements that you need to make such as follow-up appointments and tests, prescriptions, and instructions for your care and recovery at home.