Going home: Criteria-led discharge information sheet

Introduction

Criteria-led discharge is a process that makes sure your child’s discharge from hospital occurs as soon as it is medically safe.

This information sheet is for educational purposes only. Please talk to your doctor or senior nurse for more information.

Benefits of criteria-led discharge

  • Your child will spend less time in hospital because decisions about their discharge from hospital are made earlier in their stay. 
  • It gives parents and carers more involvement in planning for discharge.
  • It reduces delays in leaving hospital and helps families return to their normal home environment sooner.
  • There is less risk of getting further infections while in hospital.

Consultations with the doctor

Your child will be seen by a doctor when they are admitted.

They will complete the initial assessment, arrange for tests or imaging if required, and review the results. 

If the doctor needs to see your child again, they will visit and talk to you about next steps in your child's care.

When the doctor is happy with your child's progress, they will start the criteria-led discharge process.

The 4-step discharge process

Starting the discharge process

Your doctor will explain the criteria-led discharge process to you. 

Examples of criteria might include having a normal temperature or not vomiting for a certain time frame.

Developing the criteria

Your child's care team will develop the criteria that your child will need to meet before they can be discharged home.

These criteria will be documented in your child’s medical record.

Monitoring progress

A nurse will monitor your child's progress during the recovery and review if the agreed criteria have been met.

The healthcare team will work with you and your child to meet these criteria so that your child can leave the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.

Discharge timing

A nurse will check that your child has met all the agreed discharge criteria. If the criteria have been met and there are no concerns, your child will be able to go home.

If the doctor has any concerns about your child’s health, they will arrange to see you before you leave.

Before going home

Make sure you:

  • understand how and when to give your child any medicines at home
  • know about any GP or follow-up appointments your child needs
  • ask about medical certificates or other paperwork.