Decision guide
Planning Home Care After a Hospital Discharge
Planning for home care should begin before discharge when possible.
Read the guideQualified nursing care at home
Qualified wound care at home, with your family kept informed.
When a wound needs care at home, your family should know which nurse is responsible, what treatment information is needed and which changes require another clinician or urgent help. Care is provided by an appropriately qualified nurse when the treatment, required instructions, supplies and current availability can be confirmed.
Care needed soon? Call to ask about current availability.
Nursing CareWound Care
Could this help your family?
This care may be worth considering when…
- Someone needing surgical dressing changes after discharge
- A person with a wound or skin-integrity concern requiring nursing assessment
- A family that wants clear updates and guidance about concerning changes
- Someone whose care team has arranged wound treatment at home
What support can look like
Care shaped around the person’s day.
- Wound and skin assessment by a qualified nurse
- Dressing changes and treatment that fit the person’s instructions and nursing needs
- Pressure-injury and skin-integrity prevention guidance
- Ongoing observation, notes and family communication
- Contact with the appropriate clinician when concerns arise
How the nurse-led approach supports this care
The nursing role is explained before care begins.
Wound assessment and treatment are nursing responsibilities. The nurse should explain what can be provided at home, document relevant changes and identify when the person’s prescriber, wound clinic or urgent service needs to be contacted.
Clear expectations
What your family should know before deciding.
- Service availability depends on clinical suitability, orders, supplies and staffing.
- Healing time varies, and no responsible provider should promise a particular outcome.
- Urgent bleeding, signs of infection or a rapid decline need prompt medical or emergency help.
A simple way to begin
Your family should know what happens next.
Tell us what is happening
Share what the person wants, what feels harder and when help may be needed.
Talk through the options
We will explain which kinds of support may be worth considering.
Know who will do what
Your family will know what a caregiver, nurse or other professional would provide.
Stay in touch as needs change
Let us know when something changes so the support can be looked at again.
Clear answers
Questions about wound care
Do I need an order or discharge instructions?
That depends on the wound and treatment. Bring any discharge instructions, current treatment plan and supply information you have so the nurse can confirm what is needed before a visit is arranged.
Who supplies dressings?
Supply arrangements can vary. Before care begins, ask which dressings or products are required, who will obtain them and whether they are included in the service cost.
What if the wound changes?
Tell the nurse promptly about increasing pain, drainage, odour, redness, swelling, fever or another concerning change. The nurse can explain whether the prescriber, wound clinic, urgent care or emergency service should be contacted.
Learn before deciding
Related decision guides
These guides explain what to ask, what to plan for and how to make care decisions with clearer expectations.
Decision guide
What to Expect From a Home-Care Assessment
A home-care assessment should help the person, family and provider understand goals, routines, current support, abilities, safety concerns, health needs, schedule and who will be responsible for each part of care.
Read the guide
Decision guide
How to Choose a Home-Care Provider in British Columbia
The right home-care provider should understand the person before recommending a schedule or service.
Read the guideA practical first step
Talk with a nurse about wound care.
Start with what is happening at home, who is already helping and what would make the biggest difference. We can explain the options and confirm current availability for your location and timing.