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

Download: N/A
Compiled by: Janet McAuley, Patient Flow and Discharge Lead
Filipe Alves, CSNP Team Leader
Ratified by: TEC
Date Ratified: April 2021
Date Issued: June 2021
Review Date: April 2024
Target Audience: All staff
Contact name: Janet McAuley, Patient Flow and Discharge Lead
Filipe Alves, CSNP Team Leader

 

See also:

 

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