Discharge Instruction Prompt Templates

Going Home After Your Gallbladder Surgery

Most Important Things to Know:

1. REST TODAY. You can walk around the house, but take it easy.
2. NO DRIVING while taking the prescription pain medication.
3. CALL US if you have fever, worsening pain, or can't keep fluids down.

Your Medications:
• Ibuprofen 600mg: Take every 6 hours as needed for pain. Take with food.
• Oxycodone 5mg: Take every 4-6 hours ONLY if ibuprofen isn't enough. This can cause constipation and drowsiness.
• Docusate (Colace): Take daily while using oxycodone to prevent constipation.

Activity:
✓ Walk around your home starting today
✓ Increase activity gradually over the next few days
✓ Shower after 24 hours (keep incisions clean, pat dry)
✗ No lifting over 10 pounds for 2 weeks
✗ No baths, pools, or hot tubs for 2 weeks
✗ No driving while taking oxycodone

Eating:
Start with bland foods (crackers, toast, soup). Advance to your normal diet as you feel ready. Some people find greasy or fatty foods cause discomfort for the first few weeks.

Your Incisions:
You have small incisions covered with glue or strips. Leave them alone. They'll fall off on their own. A little bruising is normal.

CALL US (555-0123) IF YOU HAVE:
• Fever over 101°F
• Pain that's getting worse, not better
• Redness, swelling, or drainage from incisions
• Nausea/vomiting that won't stop
• Can't pass gas or have a bowel movement for 3+ days

GO TO THE ER IF YOU HAVE:
• Severe abdominal pain
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Signs of allergic reaction

Follow-Up:
See your surgeon in 1 week. Call to schedule if you don't have an appointment.

Questions? Call our office at 555-0123.

Going Home After Your Heart Attack

What Happened:
You had a heart attack. One of the arteries supplying blood to your heart was blocked. We opened it and placed a small metal tube called a stent to keep it open. Your heart muscle is recovering.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING:
Take your clopidogrel (Plavix) every single day for the next year. Do not stop it without talking to your cardiologist. This medication keeps your stent open. Missing doses can cause another heart attack.

Your Medications:

 TAKE EVERY DAY:
• Aspirin 81mg - 1 tablet daily (prevents clots) - CONTINUE
• Clopidogrel 75mg - 1 tablet daily (keeps stent open) - NEW, DO NOT STOP
• Metoprolol 25mg - 1 tablet twice daily, morning and evening (protects heart) - NEW
• Atorvastatin 80mg - 1 tablet at bedtime (lowers cholesterol) - HIGHER DOSE THAN BEFORE

 KEEP WITH YOU:
• Nitroglycerin tablets - put 1 under your tongue if you have chest pain. If no relief in 5 minutes, call 911.

Activity:
• First 2 weeks: Light walking around your home. No lifting over 10 pounds.
• Weeks 2-4: Gradually increase walking. Still no heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
• After 4 weeks: Cardiac rehab will guide your exercise progression.
• Sex: Ask your cardiologist at your follow-up visit.

Diet:
Heart-healthy eating:
• Less salt (aim for under 2,000mg sodium per day)
• Less saturated fat (red meat, fried foods, full-fat dairy)
• More vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish
• Limit alcohol

Smoking:
If you smoke, stop. This is the single most important thing you can do. We can help with medications or programs. Ask us.

Your Appointments:
• Cardiologist: [Date] at [Time] - don't miss this one
• Primary care: [Date] at [Time]
• Cardiac rehab orientation: [Date] - they'll call to confirm

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF:
• Chest pain or pressure that doesn't go away with rest
• Chest pain that spreads to your arm, jaw, or back
• Severe shortness of breath
• Feeling like you might pass out

CALL YOUR CARDIOLOGIST (555-0789) IF:
• Mild chest discomfort that goes away with rest
• New shortness of breath with activity
• Leg swelling
• Side effects from medications
• Any concerns or questions

You can recover from this. Most people do. Take your medications, go to cardiac rehab, and make the lifestyle changes. You've got this.

Caring For Your Stitches

Your cut has been closed with stitches. Here's how to take care of it at home.

First 24 Hours:
Keep the wound dry. Leave the bandage we put on in place.

After 24 Hours - Daily Care:
1. Wash your hands first
2. Remove the old bandage
3. Gently wash the wound with mild soap and water
4. Pat dry with a clean towel
5. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)
6. Cover with a fresh bandage

Do this once a day until your stitches come out.

What's Normal:
• Some bruising around the wound
• Mild tenderness
• A little pink skin at the edges
• Slight swelling that improves over days

Warning Signs - Call Us If You See:
• Redness that's spreading beyond the wound edges
• Increasing pain (not getting better day by day)
• Pus or cloudy drainage
• Red streaks coming from the wound
• Fever over 100.4°F
• Wound edges separating

Activity:
• Avoid heavy lifting or activities that strain the wound for 2 weeks
• Showers are fine after 24 hours. Let water run over it gently.
• No baths, swimming, or soaking until stitches are out

Stitch Removal:
Come back in 10-14 days to have your stitches taken out. This is quick and usually not painful.

Schedule your appointment now: 555-0123

If something doesn't look right, don't wait. Call us.

Understanding Your New Diabetes Diagnosis

What's Happening:
Your body isn't using insulin as well as it should. Insulin helps sugar get from your blood into your cells for energy. When it doesn't work right, sugar builds up in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. The good news: we caught this early, and it's very manageable.

This Is Not a Death Sentence:
Plenty of people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. It takes some adjustments, but many patients tell me they actually feel better once they get their blood sugar under control.

Your Medication:
• Metformin 500mg: Take one pill with breakfast and one with dinner.
• Take it with food to avoid stomach upset.
• It helps your body use insulin better. It doesn't cause low blood sugar.
• Common side effects: stomach upset or diarrhea, usually improves after a few weeks.

Checking Your Blood Sugar:
Check your blood sugar every morning before eating. Write it down or use an app. Bring your log to your next appointment.

Target: We want your morning blood sugar between 80-130.

What You Eat Matters:
You don't have to give up everything you love, but some changes help a lot:

• Cut back on: soda, juice, candy, white bread, white rice, pasta, pastries
• Eat more: vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, beans
• Watch portions: even healthy carbs raise blood sugar if you eat too much
• Drink water: skip sugary drinks

You don't need special "diabetic food." Just real food, in reasonable amounts.

Moving Helps:
Physical activity helps your body use insulin better. Aim for 30 minutes most days. Walking counts. Start where you are and build up.

Your Follow-Up Plan:
• 2 weeks: See your PCP. Bring your blood sugar log.
• 3 months: Lab work to check your A1C (3-month blood sugar average). Goal is under 7%.
• Consider: Diabetes education class. It's helpful and usually covered by insurance.

Questions to Ask at Your Next Visit:
• Should I see a diabetes educator or nutritionist?
• Do I need to check my feet? How often?
• What symptoms should I watch for?

You Can Do This:
Diabetes feels overwhelming at first. Take it one step at a time. Start with the medication and checking your blood sugar. We'll add more as you're ready.

Call Us (555-0123) If:
• Your blood sugar is consistently over 250 or under 70
• You're having side effects from the medication
• You have any questions

You're not alone in this. We're here to help.