Which facet of discharge planning supports family coordination of care?

• A. A list of healthcare team members’ contact numbers.
• B. A single physician’s phone number only.
• C. No written instructions provided.
• D. A generic hospital-wide contact number.

Answer: (A)

The main point being tested is how discharge planning enables families to coordinate care after leaving the hospital. Providing a clear, up-to-date list of all members of the healthcare team with direct contact numbers gives caregivers a practical roadmap for what comes next. It makes it easy to reach the right person for follow-up appointments, questions about medications or wound care, arranging home health services, and coordinating with specialists. When families know exactly who to contact and how, care across different providers stays organized and consistent, reducing delays and confusion.

If only a single physician’s number is given, access is limited and bottlenecks can occur if that clinician is unavailable or if multiple providers are involved. No written instructions leave families without essential guidance on what to do post-discharge, when to seek care, or how to manage red flags. A generic hospital-wide number lacks specificity and can delay connection to the correct person or team.