Admission, Transfer, and Discharge of Adult Patients Policy

Introduction

This Policy provides an overarching framework supporting local policies and quality principles for the Admission, Transfer and Discharge of patients from/ to Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH FT). Ensuring that the process for Admission, Transfer and Discharge safeguards and promotes patient safety.

The Admission to an inpatient area can be unplanned, usually via the Emergency Department (ED) or an Assessment Area when the patient is unwell and at their most vulnerable status, or as a planned procedure. Consideration should be given to alternatives to inpatient admission whenever possible to avoid unnecessary admissions.

Admission to hospital can be a difficult time for both the patient and their carers and can bring on feelings of vulnerability. For this reason it is important that we make people feel safe and secure and that they feel that they have received personal and individualised care.

Transfer of care can occur within the same Hospital, other NHS and Non-NHS Hospitals and many other Health and Social Care Locations.

A safe Discharge is the result of good planning from the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) from the time the patient arrives at the hospital. Discharge plans will be MDT led at ward level and for patients requiring support, there will be the involvement of the Complex Discharge team and Partner colleagues in the Integrated Discharge Bureau (IDB) with the addition of community support.

This Policy is written for all ASPH FT services to enable admission, transfer and discharge standards to be consistently applied and to maintain patient wellbeing and safety.

Recognition that the admission, transfer and discharge process for patients often will involve a system level, multi-professional approach to support the patients’ journey.

Admission, Transfer and Discharge should be equitable and patient centred, with patients, families and carers feeling well orientated and secure in their environment.

The Trust recognises the contribution that effective discharge/transfer care planning makes to high quality service provision, continuity of care and the recovery journey.

Policy Details

See also:

• Departmental Local Standard Operating Procedures
• Overseas Visitor Policy
• Trust Standard Discharge Framework
• Other Relevant Infection Control Policies
• OPEL Plan
• Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy
• Admission, Transfer and Discharge Policy for the Infected Patient
• Consent Policy
• Covid 19 Guidance
• Covid 19 Operational Policy
• Dementia Care Policy
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding Policy