What's Falling Through the Cracks?
A post-discharge follow-up quiz for families — find out what's been done, what's been missed, and exactly what to do next
Scenario
Your parent or loved one was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. It's now Friday.
Answer these 10 questions about what's happened since discharge. For each item, choose the answer that best describes where things stand right now.
1 Has a follow-up appointment been scheduled with the primary care doctor?
Should be within 7–14 days of discharge
2 Has the medication list been reconciled?
New meds from the hospital compared against existing prescriptions
3 Has someone picked up the new prescriptions from the pharmacy?
Including any new medications ordered at discharge
4 Has the discharge summary been sent to the primary care doctor?
The hospital should send this, but it doesn't always happen automatically
5 Has someone confirmed that the home is ready?
Equipment, supplies, accessibility — everything needed for recovery at home
6 Are follow-up lab tests or imaging scheduled as ordered?
Check the discharge instructions for any ordered tests
7 Has the specialist referral (if any) from the hospital been initiated?
If the discharge plan includes a specialist visit, has the referral been placed?
8 Does the family know the warning signs that would require a return to the ER?
Specific symptoms or changes to watch for in the first 7–10 days
9 Has someone confirmed what home health services (if ordered) are starting and when?
Home health nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.
10 Has a family member or caregiver reviewed the discharge instructions — not just received them?
Actually read through and understood the full set of instructions
Your Post-Discharge Follow-Through Score
Your Discharge Action Plan
For each item, here's exactly what to do next based on your answer.
Email this action plan to yourself and your family
Get a copy you can share, reference later, or bring to your next appointment.
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