The First 72 Hours After Leaving the Hospital

Reviewed by Ylmard Grimaldi, LVN
Last reviewed: October 26, 2026

The first few days home from the hospital matter a lot. This is when many problems start. A simple plan can help you stay safe and avoid going back. This guide is for patients and the family who help them.

The short answer

• Read your discharge papers the first day home.
• Check every medicine against your new list.
• Make your follow-up visits. Write them on a calendar.
• Know the warning signs. Know who to call.
• If your doctor ordered home health, expect a call from the agency.

Words to know

• Discharge papers: The papers the hospital gives you when you leave. They say what to do at home.
• Follow-up visit: A visit with your doctor after you leave the hospital.
• Home health: Nurses and therapists who come to your home. They follow your doctor's orders.

Before you leave the hospital

If you can, ask these before you go:

• "What is my main health problem? What should I watch for?"
• "Which medicines are new? Which ones should I stop?"
• "When is my follow-up visit? Who made it?"
• "Who do I call if I have a question tonight?"
• "Did the doctor order home health? Which agency?"

You can choose your home health agency. See our guide: How to Ask for a Home Health Agency by Name.

Day 1: Get settled

Read your papers

• Sit down with a family member. Read the papers out loud.
• Circle anything you do not understand. Call the number on the papers to ask.

Medicines

• Get new prescriptions filled today if you can.
• Put all your medicines in one place. Include pills, inhalers, creams, vitamins, and herbs.
• Check each one against your new list. Some old medicines may have stopped or changed.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor if something does not match.
• See Medication Safety at Home.

Set up the home

• Make a clear path to the bed, bathroom, and kitchen.
• Move rugs and cords out of the way.
• Turn on night lights.
• Keep a phone, water, and glasses close to the bed or chair.
• See Fall Prevention at Home.

Day 2: Make calls and plans

• Call to make or confirm your follow-up visit. Many people should see a doctor within about 1 to 2 weeks. Your papers or doctor will tell you when.
• Plan a ride to that visit.
• Write a short list of questions for the doctor.
• If home health was ordered and no one has called, call the agency. If you do not know the agency, call your doctor's office.

Day 3: Check how things are going

• Are you taking medicines the right way?
• Are you eating and drinking?
• Can you get to the bathroom safely?
• Is someone checking on you each day?
• Are you feeling better, the same, or worse?

If things are getting worse, call your doctor. Do not wait for your next visit.

When home health may start

• Home health needs an order from your doctor or another allowed provider.
• The agency will call you to set the first visit. Often this happens within a day or two after you get home. Timing can vary.
• A nurse or therapist will come to check you and make a plan with your doctor.
• Home health may be covered by Medicare if you meet the rules. See Medicare and Home Health.

Warning signs

Call 911 right away if:

• You have chest pain or pressure.
• You have bad trouble breathing.
• You pass out or cannot wake up.
• Your face droops, an arm or leg feels weak, or speech is slurred.
• You have heavy bleeding.
• You are confused in a new and sudden way.

Call your doctor the same day if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• Your pain gets worse, or medicine does not help.
• Your wound gets red, warm, swollen, or leaks.
• You have new swelling in your legs, or fast weight gain.
• You cannot eat, drink, or keep food down.
• You have trouble peeing or have not had a bowel movement in days.
• You feel dizzy or weak.
• You are not sure about a medicine.

If your papers list other warning signs, follow those first.

Keep this list by the phone

• Your doctor's name and phone number
• Your pharmacy's phone number
• Your home health agency's phone number
• Your medicine list
• A family member's phone number

Frequently asked questions

If you want Newstart Home Health

• Newstart Home Health Inc is licensed in 7 Southern California counties. We are currently serving Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties.
• We accept Medicare and Medi-Cal. Coverage rules can be different for each person and health plan.
• You and your family can call us. A real person will help you. It is free to call.

Related pages

• Request Care
• How to Ask for a Home Health Agency by Name
• What Medicare Home Health Covers (and What It Doesn't)
• Medication Safety at Home
• Fall Prevention at Home

Sources

1. Medicare.gov (CMS). "Your discharge planning checklist." https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/resources/hospital/your-discharge-planning-checklist (checked Oct 26, 2026, PT)
2. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Leaving the hospital - your discharge plan." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000867.htm (checked Oct 26, 2026, PT)
3. Medicare.gov (CMS). "Home health services." https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services (checked Oct 26, 2026, PT)
4. Medicare.gov (CMS). "Medicare & Home Health Care," CMS Product No. 10969. https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10969-medicare-and-home-health-care.pdf (checked Oct 26, 2026, PT)

Last reviewed: October 26, 2026