Going Home

Discharge Instructions

Based on your progress, your doctor will decide when you are ready to leave the Hospital. Before you go, your doctor and your nurse will give you special instructions to follow when you get home. These written directions may include information about your diet, activities and self-care. Please feel free to ask your Caregivers about these instructions or any other concerns that you have about what you should do after leaving the Hospital. Once home, don’t be afraid to call with questions, understanding is important to your recovery. Your manager or physician Caregivers are happy to help you.

Personal Belongings

In the excitement of going home, it can be easy to forget some of your personal belongings. Please remember to check your closets, drawers and your room for any of your personal items before leaving. Your Caregivers can instruct you on how to claim anything you have stored in the Hospital vault.

Patient Satisfaction Surveys

We provide a patient satisfaction survey for you to fill out before being discharged. By taking time to complete this, you can help us to make sure that we are providing the very best care possible. In addition to this Hospital survey, you may be chosen randomly to receive a patient survey in the mail one month after you have gone home. Your comments count!

Home Care

Sometimes, you may need extra healthcare help at home. Your Caregivers can assist you in getting the home healthcare or medical equipment that you need. When your doctor writes an order regarding what you need, your case worker or discharge planning nurse can assist you in arranging help from a home health agency or delivery of medical equipment, such as a hospital bed or wheelchair. If you have questions, just ask your Caregivers. We are happy to help you.

Catholic Community Care

Catholic Community Care is an alliance of Catholic providers of health-related services for older adults and those with chronic conditions. Through our network, we can help you access a wide array of services such as skilled nursing, assisted living, rehabilitation and home healthcare. For more information about these services, call toll free 866.227.3227 or 216.861.0634.

Physician Referral Line

A relationship with a primary care doctor who knows your medical history and that of your family is the best way to approach good physical and emotional health.

When you need to find a doctor, help is only a phone call away. St. Vincent Charity Hospital’s Physician Referral Line can help you find a doctor to meet any medical need. Call 216.363.2552 to get help in choosing a doctor who is near your home, who has convenient office hours and who meets your personal needs. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Medical Records

You are welcome to request copies of your medical records. You can complete and sign an authorization request for any records you want copied. There is a fee for any records copied, except for those being sent to your doctor. These fees cover the costs of retrieving and processing your records. Being specific about the information you need when requesting copies will reduce your cost. It may take from 7 to 10 days to process your records request.

If a patient is a minor, a parent or legal guardian must sign for medical records. If the patient is deceased, the estate’s executor or executrix, or the patient’s next of kin as listed in the patient record must provide the appropriate documentation when requesting records. For more information, call 216.363.3346.