DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

How to have owners retain information/discharge instructions to care for their pets when they leave the hospital

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Be patient & confident

Introduce yourself (know client’s/pet’s name)

Client is going into the unknown – surgery day has come

Pre op call: make them aware it is admission NOT drop-op

Many clients are emotional discussing CPR status

Never make a guarantee (we will do our best)

HIGH EMOTIONS AT ADMISSION

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Begin a comfort level with the client

Explain any consents to sign

Make clients aware of sequence of events

Listen to their concerns / be patient / answer questions

Your job is to put them at ease

Walk with client to front lobby

ADMISSION

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Be the person they can count on

Make yourself the point person

The client feels there is someone looking out for their pet

Make calls that were arranged during admit

Keep your promise’s

WHILE HOSPITALIZED

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Be Ready (clients are eager)

Have doctor discharges printed out

Gather handouts needed

Confirm medication vials to discharge papers

Make sure you have all the patients possessions

PREPARE FOR DISCHARGE

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Expect high expectations of the client

If you want the pet quiet for 2 weeks, put 4 weeks on the discharges

Give the client something to do to help recovery

Passive range of motion, bandage care if warranted, etc.

DISCHARGE TIME

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Read together with the client each line of the discharge papers

Usually a question is asked after each line/statement

Read the clients body language (are they understanding?)

Be confident with your answers

If you don’t know the answer, find it out

DISCHARGE TIME

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Tough Love

Be stern with instruction

Doesn’t matter if the yard is fenced (LEASH ON ALWAYS)

Make client aware of consequences if the e-collar is off

Use of sling ALWAYS when going in and out of the house

DISCHARGE TIME

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Careful Explanations

What the incision looks like

Suggest picture of incision to mark changes

What is a seroma?

May have excessive swelling, minor discharge from incision

Side effects of medications

Tramadol may cause sedation, NSAID could cause GI issues

DISCHARGE TIME

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Expectation depends on the surgery preformed

Orthopedic surgeries have more involved aftercare

Soft tissue surgery may be a more lenient aftercare

Although some non-orthopedic may be more involved.

DISCHARGE TIME

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Wrapping up

Ask if you could set up their two week re-check appt.

Let client know you will call 1 week post-op for an update

Are there any other questions you could answer

Ask client to sign Discharge Signature Form

Offer to help client to their car

DISCHARGE TIME

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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DISCHARGE SIGNATURE FORM

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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Make client feel they are valued

Have patience

NO question is a stupid question from a client

Let the client know you are there for them

SUMMARY

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE

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QUESTIONS?

11/14/2017CE FALL 2017 | DISCHARGE PATIENTS WITH CONFIDENCE