US Medical Term · emergency
Hospital Discharge Instructions
Instrucciones de alta hospitalaria
Also: Indicaciones al momento del alta (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Hospital Discharge Instructions |
| Spanish (Español) | Instrucciones de alta hospitalaria |
| Chinese (中文) | 出院指示 |
| Korean (한국어) | 퇴원 지시사항 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Hướng dẫn xuất viện |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Mga tagubilin sa pagpapalabas sa ospital |
| Portuguese (Português) | Instruções de alta hospitalar |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | คำแนะนำในการจำหน่ายออกจากโรงพยาบาล |
| Japanese (日本語) | 退院指示 |
What it means
Hospital discharge instructions are written directions given to patients when they leave the hospital. They explain what happened during your stay, what medications to take and when, which activities to avoid while you recover, warning signs that should prompt you to seek emergency care again, and when to schedule follow-up appointments with your doctor. These instructions are legally required and must be provided in a language you understand. Read them carefully before leaving, ask questions about anything unclear, and keep them accessible at home. Following discharge instructions reduces the risk of complications and readmission.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Can I get my discharge instructions in Spanish?
¿Puedo recibir mis instrucciones de alta en español?
I don't understand one of my discharge instructions — can someone explain it to me?
No entiendo una de mis instrucciones de alta. ¿Alguien puede explicármela?
My discharge instructions say to call 911 if I have chest pain — is that correct?
Mis instrucciones de alta dicen que llame al 911 si tengo dolor en el pecho. ¿Es correcto?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026