Going Home

Going home

Useful information for patients being discharged from the hospital.

When your doctor decides you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will write a discharge order for you. Please make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it’s time to go home.

Before leaving, you will need to stop by the hospital’s financial office to finalize your account. (Learn more on the “Paying your bill” page.)

Checkout time is 11 a.m. Please make every effort to leave by this time. If you cannot, please notify your nurse so alternate arrangements can be made.

Below, find additional information to help you as you prepare to head home. Of course, you can always ask your nurse or other hospital staff member if you have questions not covered here. Additionally, a Patient Relations coordinator is available every weekday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 985-898-4669 to assist you and your family with special requests, explain hospital policies and to serve as your liaison with hospital staff.

Should you or a family member have a concern about the care you are receiving, please share it with us right away. We want the opportunity to address it.

Patient discharge

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about the discharge process at St. Tammany Health System.

Personal belongings

Collect all of your belongings and double-check closets and drawers. If you have any items being held by the Security Office, call 985-898-4572 and an officer will bring them to you.

Discharge instructions

Your doctor and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your medications, diet, activities or other matters, please be sure to ask.

Patient transport

When you are ready to leave, a member of the hospital staff will escort you to the front entrance and help you into your vehicle.

After you are discharged

Sometimes patients need additional treatment or follow-up care after being discharged from the hospital. Arrangements will be made through your case manager and/or social worker to meet your special needs and may include:

Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit: This unit is located on the second floor of St. Tammany Health System’s main hospital campus and provides comprehensive rehabilitation to patients who have been temporarily disabled by their medical condition. Rehabilitation nurses and therapists work with patients to achieve their optimal level of independence.
Outpatient Rehabilitation: Made up of nurses as well as board-certified and state-licensed occupational, physical and speech therapists, our Outpatient Rehabilitation team is qualified to conduct a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services as they work toward returning patients to an independent and active lifestyle.
Home Health: This is a full-service agency that supplies nurses/nurse aides, medical social workers and therapists for in-home healthcare visits. Social workers are available to assist you with referrals to Home Health.

Discharge planning

At St. Tammany Health System, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We believe that discharge planning is an essential part of this commitment. Download our resource booklet to learn more about the services we offer and how we can help you make a smooth transition back to your daily routine.

Download booklet