A hospital’s responsibility to you does not end when you leave the building. In Canada, you have a right to a Safe Discharge. This means the hospital must ensure that you are medically stable enough to leave and that you have a clear plan for your recovery at home or in another facility.

What is a “Safe Discharge”?

A discharge is considered “safe” when:

  1. You are Medically Stable: Your vital signs are normal, and your condition is not expected to deteriorate immediately upon leaving.
  2. You Have a Plan: You know exactly what medications to take, when your follow-up appointments are, and who to call if things go wrong.
  3. You Have the Right Support: The hospital has confirmed you have the necessary help at home or has arranged for home care services.

The Discharge Checklist: Don’t Leave Without These 5 Things

Before you sign any paperwork or leave the hospital, ensure you have the following:

  • Written Discharge Summary: A document explaining why you were admitted, what treatments you received, and what your ongoing care looks like.
  • Updated Medication List: A list of new prescriptions, changes to old ones, and—crucially—instructions on when to take your next dose.
  • Follow-Up Appointments: Confirmed dates/times for your next specialist or family doctor visits.
  • The “Red Flag” List: Clear, written instructions on which symptoms mean you should call your doctor and which symptoms mean you should go back to the Emergency Room.
  • Equipment and Supplies: If you need a walker, oxygen, or wound care supplies, these should be arranged before you exit the doors.

Your Rights if You Feel Unsafe to Leave

If a hospital tells you that you are being discharged but you (or your caregiver) believe it is unsafe:

  1. Formally Object: State clearly to the doctor or the Discharge Planner: “I do not believe it is safe for me to be discharged because [state your reason, e.g., ‘I cannot walk to the bathroom alone and I live alone’].”)
  2. Request a Meeting: Ask for a meeting with the Social Worker or Patient Relations Officer.
  3. Ask for the Appeal Process: Ask the hospital for their formal process to appeal a discharge decision. Every hospital has a protocol for “contested discharges.”

Why This Matters for Advocacy

“Premature Discharge” is a common category in our database. When patients are sent home too early, it often leads to Readmission—which costs the healthcare system more money and puts the patient at risk.

By documenting your experience with an unsafe discharge on hospitalcomplaints.ca, you are helping provincial health departments identify hospitals that are prioritizing “bed turnover” over “patient safety.”

How to Report an Unsafe Discharge

If you were sent home without a plan or while still medically unstable:

  • Post your experience here
  • Include the name of the Discharge Planner or Attending Physician if known.
  • State whether you had to return to the ER within 72 hours (this is a key metric for health departments).