After hospital discharge in Kathmandu: the first 72 hours at home

Prepare the route home before discharge

Think through the journey from the hospital bed to the room where recovery will happen. Is the vehicle easy to enter? Are there steep steps, a narrow landing, or a bathroom on another floor? Arrange help and equipment before arrival rather than improvising while the person is tired.

Leave with one clear care file

Keep the discharge summary, diagnosis, medicine list, follow-up dates, test reports, and hospital contact details together. Ask the clinical team to explain what changed, which medicines were stopped, what activity is permitted, and which warning signs require a call or urgent return. Repeat the instructions back in your own words.

Reconcile every medicine

Compare the new discharge list with medicines already at home. Do not assume an old tablet should continue. Use a written schedule showing the medicine, dose, time, purpose, and prescribing clinician. If anything conflicts or is unclear, contact the hospital, doctor, or pharmacist before giving it.

Make food, fluids and toileting practical

Recovery often becomes difficult because ordinary tasks require too much effort. Place safe drinking water, recommended food, tissues, a phone, and a bell or call device within reach. Follow any diet or fluid restrictions on the discharge plan, and make the path to the toilet clear and well lit.

Observe function, not only symptoms

Notice whether the person can stand, walk, eat, drink, use the toilet, sleep, and communicate as expected. Record only what the clinical team has asked you to monitor. New confusion, a fall, uncontrolled pain, breathing difficulty, bleeding, repeated vomiting, inability to take essential medicines, or any warning sign listed on the discharge sheet needs prompt medical advice.

Share the work before everyone is exhausted

Name one person to coordinate medical questions and updates. Divide meals, transport, overnight presence, medicine collection, and household tasks among relatives or a trained caregiver. A clear rota protects the recovering person from gaps and the family from burnout.