Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
DISCHARGE OF A PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT FROM THE WARD
This is when a patient no longer needs to receive in-patient care and can go home on medication under the authorization of the medical team.
Purpose
- Help the patient re-integrate well with the family and community
- Continue treatment on out-patient basis
- Reduce prolonged stay in the hospital
Equipment
- Quiet environment
- Chairs
- Tables
- Pen and paper
- Admission and Discharge documents
- Admission and Discharge book
- TPR and BP charts
- Treatment sheets
- Inventory/Property book
- Ward state
- Report book
- File movement book
- Patient’s medication
Procedure steps
- Check physician’s discharge orders
- Inform patient and relative(s) about discharge
- Allow patient and relative(s) to ask questions
- Check whether relative(s) has arranged for transport
- Offer assistance as patient dresses and pack all personal belongings
- Check inventory book for patient’s property and return if any
- Check patient’s room and property room again for any belongings
- Educate patient and relative(s) on take home medication(s), desired effects and adverse effects as well as medication(s) compliance
- Emphasize the need for follow up care and indicate the date, time and location of the next appointment with the doctor on OPD card
- Record the health status of patient on discharge
- Educate patient and relative(s) on condition and healthy lifestyle
- Ensure patient has settled all bill(s) before leaving the hospital
- Send patient to the Psychiatric Social Welfare Department/Community Psychiatric Unit with the relative(s) for continuity of care
- Express appreciation to patient and relative (s) and bid them goodbye
- Disinfect patient bedside locker, mattress, bed linen etc.
- Document patient’s discharge
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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