Which statement about discharge safety is true?

Which statement about discharge safety is true?

• A. The discharge is complete when the patient leaves the building
• B. The patient is safely in the vehicle with belongings and the doors are closed
• C. The discharge is complete when the family receives a call
• D. The discharge can be deferred indefinitely

Answer: (B)

Discharge safety means ensuring a patient leaves the facility in a way that protects them from harm and supports a safe transition to home or another setting. The statement about being safely in the vehicle with belongings and the doors closed best reflects this. It confirms the patient has transportation secured, is not left unattended in the doorway or parking area, and has their personal items with them—all important factors to prevent accidents, wandering, or dropping things on the way out. Other options don’t address the actual safety handoff: simply leaving the building doesn’t guarantee the patient is safely transported; waiting for a call from family doesn’t ensure immediate safe transport or readiness for discharge; and saying discharge can be deferred indefinitely ignores the need to move the patient to a safe next setting when discharge criteria are met.

Discharge safety means ensuring a patient leaves the facility in a way that protects them from harm and supports a safe transition to home or another setting. The statement about being safely in the vehicle with belongings and the doors closed best reflects this. It confirms the patient has transportation secured, is not left unattended in the doorway or parking area, and has their personal items with them—all important factors to prevent accidents, wandering, or dropping things on the way out.

Other options don’t address the actual safety handoff: simply leaving the building doesn’t guarantee the patient is safely transported; waiting for a call from family doesn’t ensure immediate safe transport or readiness for discharge; and saying discharge can be deferred indefinitely ignores the need to move the patient to a safe next setting when discharge criteria are met.