Transitional Care
Stay Well After You Leave the Hospital
The time soon after being in the hospital is very important. At UChicago Medicine we want to support you during this time to keep you safe and provide answers to your questions. After leaving the hospital (discharge), many patients need more help in taking their medications, asking about their symptoms, or learning where to get the right kind of follow-up care.
We are here to give you the very best care after discharge to help you feel better at home.
UChicago Medicine Transitional Care
UChicago Medicine offers many kinds of transitional care that will help prevent emergency room visits or another stay in the hospital. Going to your follow-up appointments after discharge is very important so that we can keep a close watch during your recovery and help you feel your best.
Transitional care can help you:
Post-Discharge Hotline
If you have questions or concerns after you leave the hospital or before seeing your primary care provider, call our Discharge Phone Line. We will answer questions about symptoms, medications, or follow-up instructions after your hospital stay.
This phone line is only for medical questions.
You can call Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Care Resources after Leaving the Hospital (Discharge)
Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are your medical home for long-term health management. Having regular care with a PCP is important to manage chronic conditions and make sure you get the follow-up you need after a hospital stay.
It is important to answer all phone calls from UChicago Medicine when you are home. Within 2 business days after discharge, a nurse may call you to go over your discharge instructions, medications and help plan follow-up appointments. This phone call helps find problems early and makes sure you get the support you need in your recovery.
Make sure your contact information is up to date before you leave the hospital.
These visits are for patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital. The goal of a TCM visit is to check on you to see how you are feeling and if you need help after leaving the hospital. Our Care Transitions Clinic and Post-Discharge Clinic provide many of these visits. These visits can also be provided by a UChicago Primary Care Provider (PCP) or by some of our other clinics.
TCM visits can be in person at a clinic or with virtual video visits (done online). These appointments are often 7 to 14 days after discharge. You can ask questions about planning for these appointments by calling the post-discharge hotline.
Our Urgent Care Centers provide high quality, timely care for patients needing care for a minor injury or non-life-threatening illness. Urgent Care can often be faster and cost less than an emergency room visit.
You can plan and make a secure video urgent care visit for an easy way to get care from home. We can help you with many kinds of conditions like rashes, sore throat, cough, or mild pain.
- Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When Do I Need to Get Emergency Care?
It is important to know how to take care of yourself after leaving the hospital so you will not need to go back. Knowing what symptoms need urgent (emergency) care and what ones can be taken care of in other ways is important to staying safe and healthy at home.
If you have any of the following symptoms, get emergency care right away:
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- A high fever that does not get better with medication
- Signs of infection, like redness, pus, or more pain around a wound
- Sudden confusion (not sure what is happening, where you are or what is going on), slurred speech or feeling very weak
To save your spot in line, visit MyChart.
Tips for Safe Recovery at Home
After returning home from the hospital, it is important to:
- Look over and follow all discharge instructions carefully.
- Take medications only as prescribed.
- Use a pill organizer or checklist to keep track of medications.
- Know and go to your follow-up appointments.
- Ask questions. Do not guess if you are not sure about symptoms or medications.
- Keep your discharge instructions and emergency contacts in a place that is easy to find and get to.
- You can view your After Visit Summary in MyChart and logging in with your username and password.
Call our MyChart Staff if you need help with MyChart: 1-844-388-0748
Schedule a Video Visit
Save time by skipping the trip to the doctor's office and video conference with your provider instead. Video visits are a secure, quick, and convenient way to connect with your doctor and other members of your care team.
FAQs About Video Visits
Find answers to frequently asked questions about your virtual visit including an overview of the process, how to prepare for your visit, cost and insurance and technical requirements.
Download the MyChart App
Download the MyChart app for Apple or Android devices to access your health records, communicate with your providers and schedule an appointment.