Why Poor Discharge Planning Leads to Hospital Readmissions—and How to Prevent It

Too many patients leave the hospital unprepared, leading to preventable falls, medication errors, and costly readmissions. Discharge planning isn’t just a formality—it’s a critical step in recovery.

This episode breaks down the biggest discharge mistakes, why socialization matters just as much as medical care, and what caregivers, healthcare professionals, and families can do to improve the transition home. Learn about a powerful discharge assessment tool that helps prevent readmissions and ensures patients have the support they need.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and why discharge planning matters

4:50 Common mistakes in hospital discharge planning

10:20 Why patients struggle at home after discharge

16:05 How socialization impacts recovery and reduces readmissions

22:40 The role of caregivers in discharge success

29:15 Medication errors and the dangers of poor management

35:50 The Discharge Assessment Tool and how it helps patients

41:30 The connection between exercise, cognition, and recovery

47:10 Dr. Neville’s personal experience as a patient navigating discharge

52:55 Final thoughts and practical advice for caregivers

Resources & Links:

Find caregiver training at https://www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com/

Find care equipment solutions at https://www.asksamie.com/

More episodes and resources at https://www.carelabpodcast.com/