Table 18.

Physician discharge checklist

Disposition: assess with help of case manager, social worker, physiotherapist	• Home with physical therapy or arranged cardiac rehabilitation • Inpatient rehabilitation • Palliative care
Precipitating factors for HF decompensation identified and addressed	• Arrhythmias • Myocardial ischemia • Non-adherence to medication • Non-adherence to diet •Hypertension •Infections
Medications: Yes, No, Reasons for not prescribing/contraindications	• Medications for AF: antiarrhythmics, anticoagulation • Medications for CAD,: ASA, statins •Antidiabetics •Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination •HF medications (including digoxin, ivabradin, nitrates, LCZ 696, etc.)
Device therapy:	•Assess indication •Electrophysiology/arrhythmia consult if indicated
Counseling	•Fluid intake •Diet •Daily weights +/- vitals •Educate on HF symptoms and what to do •Education on medications, importance of compliance, potential side effects •Physical activity •Address risk factors: smoking, alcohol, weight loss •Preferred if available: Enhanced teaching by HF nurse, teaching by dietitian/nutritionist
Follow-up	•Dietitian •Laboratory tests •Testing: chest x-ray, echocardiogram, stress test, ECG, etc. •Physicians (primary care physician, cardiologist, electrophysiologist, other specialists)

AF - atrial fibrillation; ASA - acetylsalicylic acid; CAD - coronary artery disease; ECG - electrocardiogram; HF - heart failure