LHSC cares for patients who require the special expertise of an acute care hospital. We are committed to working with patients and their families to improve health and provide compassionate, high quality care.
Our focus is not only on your care and treatment while in hospital, but also your discharge from the hospital. The hospital is not the best environment for patients who no longer need acute hospital care, due to risk of infection, and lack of mobility, that can present significant risks to recovery. At the earliest opportunity, you and your health care team will begin planning for your discharge. This helps to ensure that supports are in place, if needed, when you leave hospital.
Most patients return home when they are discharged. If you need more care, your health care team will discuss available options with you.
We request that you and your family plan ahead and make transportation arrangements for when it’s time for you to leave the hospital. Every effort is made to accurately predict the day and time of discharge, however, you should be prepared for your discharge to occur earlier or later than planned. Your health care team will keep you up-to-date on any changes to your discharge time.
Discharge Planning
Discharge planning is an important part of your care plan. At the earliest opportunity, you and your health care team will begin planning for your discharge. This helps to ensure that supports are in place, if needed, when you leave hospital.
Most patients return home when they are discharged. If you need more care, your health care team will discuss available options with you. Our goal is to get you back home, where you can make a decision about the future if required. Once you are settled at home, you and your family can take the time you need to talk about your changing needs and your plans for the future.
If you have any questions about discharge planning, please talk to your health care team.
All Ontario hospitals must promptly discharge patients who no longer require their care. When the patient is deemed ready for discharge, the patient shall be required to leave. This ensures that medical services and beds are available for those in greatest need of acute care. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has specified that when a discharged patient refuses to leave a hospital, the hospital stay becomes uninsured. The hospital will then charge the patient a per diem rate.
Time of Discharge
Please be prepared to leave the hospital at your scheduled discharge time.
Every effort is made to accurately predict the day and time of discharge, however, you should be prepared for your discharge to occur earlier or later than planned. Your health care team will keep you up-to-date on any changes to your discharge time.
It is the responsibility of you and your family to make transportation arrangements. Transportation is not provided by the hospital and the hospital does not pay for transportation when someone leaves the hospital. If a family member or friend is unable to pick you up at your scheduled discharge time, you will need to make and pay for alternative arrangements (e.g. taxi, stretcher vehicle).
Lost and Found
Patients are responsible for ensuring that all belongings are collected before leaving the hospital. If you have forgotten something, immediately call the unit where you were a patient.
Valuable items left behind will be held by Security for 180 days. Inquiries may be directed to Security 519-685-8500 Extension: 52281.
Charges for Take-Home Items
Supplies and devices not covered by OHIP, such as canes, crutches, neck collars, embolism stockings, dressings, surgical supplies etc. that are taken home with you should be paid for at the Business Office before you leave.
If payment is not made within 15 days, an invoice will be sent and a $10 minimum amount billed.
Business Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Closed holidays and weekends).
If you have any questions please call the Business Office at 519-663-3146.
