Discharge
planning is a process that facilitates moving a person from one
level of care or health care setting to another, or from a
temporary or shelter setting back to the community for more
permanent placement. While individual plans will be based on a
person's needs and available resources, plans for the process
should be ready for activation at any time.
The process
begins when a person enters a setting, with an assessment of
needs and identification of available resources, community
services, and supports. The process continues by linking persons
to those resources and following up to ensure that acceptable
services and supports are arranged.
Discharge
planning is critical for all hazard preparations. Public health
emergency events can leave persons displaced, in need of
shelter, food, and support services, either temporarily or long
term. Florida's experience with disasters has shown that a
person residing in the community who takes refuge in a temporary
setting may be unable to safely return home after the disaster
or may need additional support.
Planning for
discharge and possible alternative community placement can
reduce challenges facing local emergency management officials
and shelter operations. Proper planning can alleviate concerns
over the possible deterioration of the health of vulnerable
populations if they are required to remain in an emergency
shelter for a prolonged period or if they are released without
suitable supports in place.
Quality
discharge planning helps to assure that persons stay in a
temporary environment for the shortest time necessary and that
persons are returned safely to their original or other suitable
community setting with needed supports.
Principles of
discharge planning apply whether a person is discharged from a
Special Needs Shelter, hospital, or other facility back to their
home or to an alternate care site. During an influenza pandemic
or other public health emergency, communities may need to move
or discharge persons to make room when the number of patients
needing care exceeds the capacity of local hospitals.
Discharge Planning Resources
Toolkit
This toolkit
provides resources for local officials, discharge planning
teams, Regional Special Needs Consultants, shelter managers, nurses, or others who may be assigned to take the lead
for or assist with discharge planning. To ensure the most
current and available information, the toolkit provides links to
source sites for reports, research, community resources, and
agencies that can provide assistance in the discharge process.
Resources are
provided for information only. Their inclusion does not
constitute endorsements by the Florida Department of Health. The
department is not responsible for content on any linked website.
All attempts have been made to link to reliable sources, but
sites and URLs are subject to change or have technical
malfunctions without warning.
If you have
feedback or input on how to improve this toolkit or would like
to share/submit additional resources for inclusion in the
toolkit, send an email to the below address:
Under Florida law,
e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your
e-mail address
released in response to a public records request, do not
send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact these
offices by phone or in writing.
DEMO_PHP@doh.state.fl.us
Discharge Planning Guide
The Discharge Planning Resource Guide was developed in collaboration with
other agencies and organizations to provide information and resources to
assist in safely returning persons to their original or other suitable
community setting following a stay in a temporary shelter or alternate care
site.
To ensure the most current information on a specific program or agency,
refer to the contact information and website links in the document or
contact the agency directly.
Linking to this guide will provide the latest version as updates occur.
|
|
Multiagency Discharge
Planning Teams
|
Section 381.0303 (e) F.S.
Florida Statute
that establishes multiagency special needs shelter discharge
planning teams to assist local areas severely impacted by a
disaster, provides team duties and responsibilities, and
provides for the inclusion of specified state agency
representatives
|
Department of Elder Affairs
State agency
authorized by legislation to convene multiagency special
needs shelter discharge teams. Refer to this site for the
multiagency team Standard Operating Procedures and Discharge
Planning Tool for Rapid Needs Evaluation (Rapid Needs
Assessment Form), procedures for completing the form, and
other preparedness resources
Partner Agency Table
Provides a brief summary of agency information that might be helpful for
discharge planning. Does not represent all agencies, services, or
responsibilities. As agencies have additional responsibilities and
information may change, it is recommended that links to websites be used to
obtain more comprehensive and detailed information
Partner Agency
Directory Template
Sample template
that can be used for creating a local address contact list
|
Information and Referral and 211 Helplines
Florida Alliance
of Information and Referral Services Member Helplines. Click
on a county to find a helpline for that service area. From
there, link to agency website
DisabilityResources.org
Link to the Disability Resources Monthly (DRM) Guide to Disability
Resources on the Internet. Contains links to community, state, and national
organizations, agencies, and information
Florida Resource Directory
Service of the
Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development.
A one-stop source for learning about state and federal
programs and resources to help local communities. Searchable
by agency, program, or keyword
Florida's Aging Resource Centers
Community Resource Directory Locator provides a link to a database where
you can select a county and enter a city name or zip code to search for
services by category, key word, or agency name
ISafetyNet
Website of the
Portsmouth Group dedicated to cataloging online safety net
information. The site provides links to national, state, and
local community agencies, services, and resources
Resources for Vulnerable Populations
Thank you to the Florida Assisted Living Association for sharing their
summary of agencies and organizations that provide information or
assistance. The list can help discharge planners link persons to available
information and support services (Rev July 2010)
|
|
Other Useful Links and Resources
|
Department of Elder Affairs Publications
DOEA webpage that
provides links to documents about resources, services, and
programs for elders. Key publications include the Consumer
Resource Guide (includes a resource directory by county),
Summary of Programs and Services (see Section A for Aging
Service Network maps), and the Older Floridians Handbook
(contains legal and program information and a reference
section with referral contact information)
Rapid Patient Discharge Tool
Developed by the
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to
assist hospital administrators and emergency managers during
unexpected increases in patient volume. Included as a
promising practice on the University of Minnesota, Center
for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) website
Special Needs Shelter Tools and Resources
DOH webpage that
provides information and tools for the Special Needs Shelter
Program
Vulnerable Populations
DOH website that
serves as a toolkit for community planners who seek to
better understand the needs of vulnerable populations
before, during, and after a disaster or incident
|
