Adolescent Treatment Program

Discharge planning

Discharge planning is an ongoing process that begins at the time of admission. The goal is for the treatment team, along with the patient and their family, to gain an understanding of the level of support that will be needed once the patient leaves the hospital.

Throughout the patient's stay, the treatment team is able to make observations as the patient interacts within the treatment milieu. This helps in understanding how the patient’s interactions and thought processes manifest in relation to the diagnosis. This enriched understanding of the diagnosis and its impact upon the adolescent's daily functioning promotes effective discharge planning.

During weekly meetings, the treatment team reviews and revises the discharge plan based on the patient's progress. This process allows the team to recommend the level of support that will match the patient's needs upon leaving the hospital and establish connections to obtain this level of support.

As treatment progresses, the staff assist the patient and family in preparing for discharge. Therapeutic passes from the hospital to the home are scheduled to promote the application of skills, behaviors and management techniques learned in treatment within the home setting. Whenever possible, the patient also connects with the outpatient team and other people in the support network who have been identified in the discharge planning process.