How to understand a hospital discharge summary.

Start with the main diagnosis

Look for the primary reason for admission and the main problems treated during the stay. The diagnosis list can be long, but not every diagnosis is equally active or important right now.

Find what changed

The highest-yield sections are often the medication list, follow-up instructions, pending tests, therapy needs, oxygen or wound instructions, and warning signs.

Ask these questions

• Which problems are resolved, improving, or still active?
• Which medications are new, stopped, temporary, or high risk?
• Who is responsible for follow-up labs, imaging, refills, or specialist visits?
• What symptoms should trigger a call to the treating clinician or emergency care?

When a physician advisory review can help

If the discharge paperwork does not create a clear story, BridgeCare can help organize the timeline, medication changes, and questions to bring back to the treating team.