Questions to Ask the Pediatric Discharge Planner Before Your Child Comes Home

Discharge day can feel like a whirlwind. One moment you're settled into the hospital routine, and the next a team is telling you your child is ready to go home — often with a stack of papers and a lot of new information. The discharge planner (sometimes a nurse, social worker, or case manager) is there to help you make that transition safely. But they can only answer the questions you know to ask.

This guide gives you a practical list of questions to bring, organized by topic, so you can walk out the door feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed. None of this replaces what your child's medical team tells you — it simply helps you capture and organize their instructions clearly.

Questions About Medications and Instructions

Medication changes are one of the most common sources of confusion after a hospital stay. Ask questions that help you leave with a clear, written picture:

• Which medications are new, which have changed, and which should we stop?
• Can I get a single, updated list that reflects everything as of today?
• Are any prescriptions being sent to our pharmacy, and are they ready?
• What should I do if a medication isn't covered or is out of stock?
• Who do I call with a medication question after hours?

Ask the planner to review the written instructions with you out loud. If something on the page doesn't match what you remember being told, that's exactly the moment to speak up.

Questions About Follow-Up Appointments and Referrals

Before you leave, clarify what happens next and who is responsible for setting it up:

• Which follow-up appointments does my child need, and by when?
• Are these appointments already scheduled, or do I need to call?
• Will our pediatrician receive the discharge summary, and how?
• Are there any specialist referrals being started, and who initiates them?
• What tests or results are still pending, and how will I be notified?

Write down names, phone numbers, and timeframes. A referral that's "in the works" is easy to lose track of once you're home and busy, so ask specifically who owns each next step.

What should I ask about warning signs and when to call?

Ask the discharge planner to walk you through the written instructions on what to watch for and who to contact for different levels of concern. Good questions include: Which symptoms mean I should call the doctor's office, and which mean I should seek emergency care? What number do I call at night or on weekends? and Is there a nurse line I can reach with questions? Ask them to point to exactly where this information appears on your paperwork so you can find it quickly at home. Your child's licensed providers determine what these signs mean for your family — your job is simply to know where the instructions live and who to reach.

What questions cover home equipment and supplies?

If your child is coming home with new equipment, supplies, or home nursing, ask: What equipment am I going home with, and who trains me to use it? Which company supplies it, and who do I call if something breaks or runs low? How do I reorder, and how far ahead should I plan? and Is delivery or setup already arranged? Confirm you have contact information for every supplier and service in writing before you leave, along with the name of the person coordinating it all.

Questions to Ask About Paperwork and Coverage

A few organizational questions can save you real stress later:

• Can I get a copy of the full discharge summary today?
• Are there prior authorizations or insurance approvals still needed?
• Who is my point of contact if something falls through after discharge?
• Is there anything time-sensitive I need to do in the first 48 hours?

Bring a notebook or use your phone to capture answers as you go. Repeat instructions back in your own words — it helps confirm you understood and gives the planner a chance to correct anything.

You Don't Have to Sort It All Out Alone

Discharge instructions can be dense, and it's normal to leave with lingering questions. At ClearPath Pediatrics, our RN care navigators help families organize discharge paperwork, keep track of follow-ups and supplies, and prepare questions for their licensed providers — so the days after a hospital stay feel less chaotic. If you'd like a calmer path home, we're here when you're ready.