The appropriate discharge of patients from the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service is important in maintaining patient flow, appropriate bed utilization and efficient staffing. It is imperative to identify those patients not needing the level of care provided in the hospital. The following guidelines have been developed to achieve these goals.
Patients are able to provide self-care such as ambulation to the bathroom without assistance.
This criteria will not be relevant in patients being discharged to extended care facilities. Patient does not require daily wound care by the surgical team. Patient does not need daily drug level monitoring. Patient is hemodynamically stable, not requiring adjustment of medications. Patient has responded to the desired antiarrhythmic therapy.