LibGuides: Home First: Provider Resources

Patient and Family Guide

Preparing for Home - Supporting Your Transition from Admission to Discharge
This patient and family guide explains what an estimated date of discharge is and gives information about being admitted to a hospital inpatient unit, your health care team, what to expect each day, getting ready for discharge and more.

Tips for use of the guide:

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio:https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-sitting-on-the-couch-7345456/ from Pexels

Introduce this patient and family guide upon admission.
Ask, “What matters most to you about returning home?”
Say, “This guide is yours to keep. It helps us all stay on the same page about your care and what you’ll need for a smoother discharge.”
Reinforce, “People heal faster at home – let’s work towards that together.”
Review sections together during bedside rounds or whiteboard updates.
Prompt patients and families to write questions in the journal section.
Revisit the guide as needed and before the estimated date of discharge (EDD).

Transitioning from Hospital to Home Checklist

For a smoother, thorough, patient-centered transition from hospital to home, front-line staff must complete the hospital to home checklist for every patient transitioning home or to another care setting before discharge is finalized.

The checklist is an important safety net to ensure patients go home supported, informed and ready.

Transitioning from Hospital to Home Checklist

Tips for use of the checklist:

Begin the checklist at the first signs of discharge planning. Don’t leave it until the Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD).
Ensure all sections are complete and signed off.
Review all possible risks that could impact a safe transition.
Document any “N/A” or unresolvable barriers and risk mitigation strategies.
Ensure clear hand-off to community partners.

Using the Transition Planning Tools

All inpatient units participating in the Home First pilot can refer to the Standard Work document, below, that outlines the major steps and details for using the Home First tools introduced above (Preparing for Home guide and Transitioning from Hospital to Home Checklist):

Standard Work: Home First Transition Planning Tools

Home First Education Presentation

Home First Education Presentation

Home First Poster

Home First [Poster]

Order print copies

You can order print copies of the Home First poster or family guide for your unit, clinic or department. Complete the order form for Dalhousie Printing Services, using your cost centre:

Nova Scotia Health Dalhousie Printing and Digital Copying Services Requisition Form (All Zones)

To order the patient and family guide:

In the Form ID field, enter WX85-2173.
Complete other form fields as needed.
Complete, save and submit the requisition form.

To order the Home First poster:

Do not enter a Form ID.
Select the Customized box.
For Paper Type enter high-quality poster paper.
Select the Colour box.
For Final Size enter 17”W x 11”H or 24”W x 18”H sizes, as preferred.
Complete other form fields as needed.
Complete, save and submit the requisition form along with a copy of the poster file.