When and How Should Clinicians View Discharge Planning as Part of a Patient’s Care Continuum?

Abstract

Inpatient admission of unhoused patients from an emergency department is becoming more frequent. Clinicians have ethical obligations to engage early in thorough discharge planning for these vulnerable patients, as discharge to the street or even to a shelter can produce poor health outcomes. This commentary on a case considers factors that influence safe discharge planning and execution, including linkage to follow-up, patient engagement, and multidisciplinary teamwork.