Transportation and family support after discharge

Best first step: Confirm the discharge time, pickup location, transportation method, medication pickup plan, and who should be contacted if anything changes.

• Brookhaven may confirm transportation before discharge to support a safe return home.
• The patient may need an approved pickup person depending on care needs, age, legal status, safety planning, or medication instructions.
• Support people can help with transportation, pharmacy pickup, follow-up appointments, home safety, and symptom monitoring.
• Brookhaven may need patient permission before sharing discharge details with family, caregivers, friends, or support people.
• If transportation falls through, tell unit staff before leaving so the discharge plan can be reviewed.
• If symptoms return or safety changes after discharge, use the discharge instructions and urgent support plan instead of waiting for a portal reply.

• Confirm the expected discharge date and time.
• Confirm where the patient should be picked up.
• Confirm who is allowed to pick the patient up.
• Ask whether the pickup person needs photo ID or authorization.
• Ask whether prescriptions must be picked up before going home.
• Ask whether follow-up appointments are already scheduled.
• Ask what to do if the transportation plan changes.
• Ask what warning signs should prompt immediate help after discharge.

Transportation type	What Brookhaven may review
Family, caregiver, or support person pickup	Whether the patient agrees, whether the person is approved, and whether discharge instructions can be shared.
Rideshare, taxi, or public transportation	Whether the option is safe and realistic for the patient’s current condition and discharge plan.
Medical transportation	Whether mobility, medical, insurance, or supervision needs require arranged transportation.
Residential, program, or facility transport	Whether the receiving program or facility has confirmed pickup, timing, and intake instructions.
Driving self	Whether it is appropriate based on medications, sedation, symptoms, safety needs, and provider guidance.

Important: Being available to drive the patient home does not automatically allow someone to receive behavioral health information, medication details, safety-plan details, or discharge records.

• Confirm the pickup person’s name and phone number.
• Ask whether the pickup person needs photo ID.
• Ask whether the patient authorizes discharge information to be shared.
• Ask whether the pickup person can receive belongings or medications.
• Ask whether the pickup person should join discharge teaching or safety planning.
• Ask what the pickup person should do if symptoms worsen after discharge.

Support area	Examples
Transportation	Pickup, safe ride home, pharmacy stop, follow-up appointment transportation.
Medication support	Pickup, reminders, safe storage, refill timing, and watching for side effects when authorized.
Home safety	Reducing access to unsafe items, helping with calm routines, checking the environment, and following safety-plan steps.
Follow-up care	Appointment reminders, scheduling support, transportation, forms, and insurance or pharmacy coordination.
Daily support	Meals, rest, sleep routine, pet care, childcare, low-stress check-ins, and help asking for support if symptoms return.

• Ask what information can be shared with the pickup person.
• Ask whether the patient has added an authorized support person.
• Ask whether a release or proxy setting is needed.
• Ask whether family can attend discharge teaching or a care conference.
• Ask what Brookhaven can receive from family even if details cannot be shared back.

• Confirm which pharmacy will fill the medication.
• Ask whether medication must be picked up today.
• Ask whether the pickup person can receive medication information.
• Ask what to do if the pharmacy says the prescription is not ready.
• Ask whether safe storage or support-person help is part of the discharge plan.
• Ask when the next dose should be taken after leaving Brookhaven.

• Confirm the date, time, location, and format of follow-up appointments.
• Ask whether transportation is needed for the first appointment.
• Ask whether a support person should attend or help schedule.
• Ask what to do if the appointment is missed or rescheduled.
• Ask who manages medication refills before the follow-up appointment.
• Ask what symptoms should prompt earlier contact.

Do not leave without telling staff if transportation, housing, medication access, or safety support has changed before discharge is complete.

• Tell the assigned nurse or discharge staff what changed.
• Ask whether discharge timing needs to be reviewed.
• Ask whether social work or case management can help.
• Ask whether a support person should be contacted.
• Ask whether medication pickup or follow-up appointments are affected.
• Ask what safe alternatives are available.

• Review discharge instructions together, if the patient wants support.
• Confirm medication pickup and next-dose timing.
• Confirm follow-up appointment details.
• Support rest, meals, hydration, and low-stress routines.
• Help reduce access to unsafe items if this is part of the safety plan.
• Use the discharge safety plan if symptoms return.
• Contact the follow-up provider if questions come up after discharge.

Do not wait for a portal reply if transportation, home support, symptoms, medication access, or safety changes create an immediate concern after discharge.

• If the patient is still at Brookhaven, tell the assigned nurse or nearest staff member immediately.
• If discharge is happening today and transportation is no longer safe, tell staff before leaving.
• If medication is missing and the patient may miss an important dose, contact the pharmacy and care team directly.
• If symptoms return or worsen, follow the discharge safety plan and contact the recommended provider or crisis support.
• If the patient may harm themselves or someone else, feels unsafe, or has a medical emergency, use emergency services.