Table 1.

Components of the RED

1. Make appointments for follow-up care (e.g., medical   appointments, postdischarge tests/laboratories)

2. Plan for the follow-up of results from tests or laboratories that   are pending at discharge

3. Organize postdischarge outpatient services and medical   equipment

4. Identify the correct medicines and a plan for the patient to   obtain them

5. Reconcile the discharge plan with national guidelines

6. Teach a written discharge plan the patient can understand

7. Educate the patient about his or her diagnosis and medicines

8. Review with the patient what to do if a problem arises

9. Assess the degree of the patient’s understanding of the   discharge plan

10. Expedite transmission of the discharge summary to   clinicians accepting care of the patient

11. Provide telephone reinforcement of the discharge plan

12. Ascertain need for and obtain language assistance (newly   added after RED Toolkit development)