US Medical Term · emergency
Discharge Planning
Planificación del alta hospitalaria
Also: Planificación del egreso (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Discharge Planning |
| Spanish (Español) | Planificación del alta hospitalaria |
| Chinese (中文) | 出院計劃 |
| Korean (한국어) | 퇴원 계획 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Lập kế hoạch xuất viện |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pagpaplano ng discharge |
| Portuguese (Português) | Planejamento de alta hospitalar |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การวางแผนจำหน่ายผู้ป่วย |
| Japanese (日本語) | 退院計画 |
What it means
Discharge planning is the process of preparing a patient to safely leave the hospital and continue recovering at home or at another facility. A discharge planner, social worker, or case manager works with you, your family, and your medical team to arrange follow-up appointments, medications, equipment, or transfer to a rehabilitation center or nursing home. It begins soon after admission, not just at the last minute. Ask about your discharge plan early so you have time to arrange transportation, fill prescriptions, and understand any home care instructions. Being discharged means the hospital team believes you are medically stable enough to leave.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Who can explain my discharge plan to me before I leave the hospital?
¿Quién puede explicarme mi plan de alta antes de salir del hospital?
Discharge planning includes arranging follow-up care and medications.
La planificación del alta incluye organizar el cuidado de seguimiento y los medicamentos.
My father needs physical therapy after leaving the hospital; who arranges that?
Mi padre necesita fisioterapia después de salir del hospital; ¿quién organiza eso?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026