Hospital Discharge Go Sheet

Discharge often happens fast. One phone call, and suddenly someone has to pick up, someone has to fill new prescriptions, and someone has to stay the first night. The details are scattered across a wristband, a whiteboard, and a folder of papers.

This 3-page go sheet puts the essentials in one place, copied from the hospital's own paperwork: the discharge snapshot, medicine changes, follow-up appointments, equipment, and a family task split. It is short on purpose, so you can print it in the parking lot.

Who it is for

• Adult children who just got the discharge call
• Siblings splitting the pickup, the first night, and follow-up rides
• Spouses and helpers who want the key facts on one sheet

What's inside

• Page 1: Discharge snapshot. Hospital, unit, discharge time, who picks up, where your parent is going, and the hospital callback number.
• Page 2: Medicines and follow-ups. What is new, changed, or stopped, the pharmacy, first dose due, follow-up visits, and a box to copy the warning signs from the paperwork.
• Page 3: Equipment and who does what. Equipment checklist, a family task split, and contacts for the doctor, pharmacy, home health, and insurance.

How to use it

1. Print three copies: one for the car, one for the hospital bag, one for the person picking up.
2. Fill in page 1 from the wristband, the room whiteboard, and the discharge folder.
3. Copy medicines and appointments onto page 2 in the hospital's words. Do not guess or translate.
4. Name a person and a backup for every task on page 3 before you leave the parking lot.

What it is not

• Not medical advice. It does not replace the discharge papers or a call to the number on them.
• Not legal, insurance, or billing advice.

Free official resources we recommend

• Medicare: Your Medicare Hospital Benefits (inpatient or outpatient)
• Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care
• CMS: Important Message from Medicare about your rights (discharge notice)

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask before my parent leaves the hospital?

Ask whether your parent was an inpatient or under observation, which medicines are new, changed, or stopped, when and where follow-up visits are, what equipment or home help was ordered, what warning signs mean you should call, and which phone number to use with questions after you get home.

Read our guide to caring for an aging parent

Can my parent stay overnight in the hospital and still be an outpatient?

Yes. Medicare says that if the doctor has not written an order admitting someone as an inpatient, they are an outpatient, even if they spend the night in a hospital bed under observation. Hospital status can affect costs and whether Medicare covers a later skilled nursing stay, so ask the hospital directly.

Is the Hospital Discharge Go Sheet a physical product?

No. The Hospital Discharge Go Sheet is a digital PDF download (3 pages, US Letter size). Nothing is shipped to you. After you buy on Etsy or Gumroad, your download is ready right away. You print it at home or at a copy shop and keep it in a binder or folder.

Can I type into the PDF or do I fill it in by hand?

You fill it in by hand. Our kits are print-and-write PDFs with large, roomy lines, not fillable forms. Many families find that writing by hand at the kitchen table is faster and easier to share. Print in color or black and white, at 100% (Actual Size) on US Letter paper.

How do I download my file after buying on Etsy or Gumroad?

On Etsy, sign in on Etsy.com, open You, then Purchases, and choose Download Files. On Gumroad, click the link in your receipt email or open your Library on gumroad.com. A computer browser is usually easiest for PDFs. If anything will not open, message us and we will help.

Can I print more than one copy for my family?

Yes. You can print as many copies as your own household needs, for example a spare for the fridge, the car, or a family member who helps out. The file is for personal and family use, so please do not resell it, share it publicly, or hand out copies to other households.

Please note: This printable is an organizational and educational tool for family caregivers only. It is not medical, legal, insurance, financial, or placement advice, and it does not replace your loved one's doctors, the hospital's discharge papers, or professional care. Rules and coverage vary by state and plan, so confirm them on the official sites linked here. In an emergency, call 911.

Helpful free guides

• Caring for an Aging Parent: Hospital discharge, dementia care notes, and touring assisted living, one calm step at a time.
• Medicare and Medicaid Help for Families: Open Enrollment, hospital status, and the Medicaid look-back, explained in plain words.
• Assisted Living and Memory Care Tour Pack: Same questions at every tour, so you can compare communities side by side instead of by gut feeling.
• Caring for an Aging Parent: start here