When your doctor feels you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will give you any necessary prescriptions and instructions. To make certain you understand them, the nurses will speak with you. On the day you leave, the doctor will sign you out. The person picking you up should you follow these instructions:

• Leave the car in the main parking lot in front of the hospital.
• Go to the Cashier's Office for a discharge slip from the patient financial services office. It will contain charges for the telephone, and any charges not covered by your insurance. You may pay in cash, by check or with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express credit card.
• Give the discharge slip to a staff member on duty at the nursing station on your floor. You may be discharged in a wheelchair. Go to the main entrance. Please ask the person picking you up not to bring the car for you until you are there. Do not park the car in front of the entrance.

Discharge Planning

If it is likely that you will need additional services after you leave the hospital, Southside's clinical care coordinators will meet with you in the hospital to help you make arrangements for your care at home. They will help identify your needs and how best to meet them. Discharge planners are at (631) 968-3114.

Home Care

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Care System's Home Care Network serves patients across Long Island. In addition to skilled nursing care, they can arrange for you to receive physical, occupational and speech therapy, social work services, intravenous therapy, other support services, medical equipment and oxygen.

Rehabilitation

If you need physical therapy or rehabilitation after you leave the hospital, the Regional Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation and the Institute for Physical Therapy can provide it. You will need a referral from your doctor. Outpatient Rehabilitation is at (631) 675-4500. The Institute can be reached at its offices in Bay Shore at (631) 968-3400 and in Smithtown at (631) 863-3050.

Support Groups

Find a listing of Southside Hospital support groups