Being discharged after major trauma is the process of leaving the hospital and moving into the next phase of your rehabilitation and recovery. In Grand Rapids, MI, this often involves coordination between major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as your primary care provider and local community services.

Discharge Planning After Major Trauma in Grand Rapids

How Discharge Is Organized

Before you leave the hospital, your Grand Rapids healthcare team should discuss a clear discharge plan with you. This plan is designed to make sure you receive safe, appropriate post-hospital care.

Common discharge options include:

  • Going home under the care of your primary care provider (PCP)
  • Transferring to an inpatient rehabilitation facility
  • Short-term stay at a skilled nursing or subacute rehab facility
  • Home with visiting nurse or home health services

In Grand Rapids, this may involve:

  • Inpatient rehab at facilities within Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Outpatient therapy at local clinics
  • Community support arranged through the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health resources

If you are going home, make sure you are registered with a local primary care provider in Grand Rapids or the surrounding Kent County area. You will likely need their help and advice in the first few weeks after discharge.

Being Involved in Your Discharge Decisions

Some people feel unprepared or anxious about leaving the hospital after major trauma. Your healthcare team is there to support you with:

  • Information about your injuries and recovery
  • A step-by-step plan for rehabilitation
  • Options for support at home or in the community

It is important that you are actively involved in decisions about:

  • When you leave the hospital
  • Where you go next (home, rehab, skilled nursing)
  • What services and supports you will have

You can always ask to include a support person—such as a family member, friend, or hospital social worker—in discharge discussions. They can:

  • Take notes
  • Ask questions on your behalf
  • Help you remember instructions once you are home

Most Grand Rapids hospitals provide written discharge instructions, patient handbooks, or online portals (for example, MyChart for Corewell Health) to help you understand your plan.

What to Discuss With Hospital Staff Before Leaving

Understand Your Discharge Plan

Before you leave the hospital, make sure you clearly understand:

  • Your diagnosis and injuries
  • What to expect in the next days, weeks, and months
  • Where you are going after discharge (home, rehab, skilled facility)
  • Who your main contact will be (for example, your PCP or trauma clinic)

Ask hospital staff to go through your discharge plan with you. This may include:

  • Arranging any aids or equipment (walker, wheelchair, shower chair, raised toilet seat)
  • Filling any prescriptions you need before going home
  • Setting up home health, visiting nurse, or outpatient therapy appointments

If you feel too tired, in pain, or overwhelmed to understand everything, let your healthcare team know. Ask for information to be:

  • Repeated
  • Written down
  • Given to a family member or caregiver as well

Questions to Ask Before Leaving the Hospital

You may want to ask:

  • Can you explain my discharge plan again in simple terms?
  • What do I need to do in the first 24–48 hours at home?
  • What activities can I do, and what should I avoid?
    • Lifting
    • Driving
    • Climbing stairs
    • Returning to work or school
  • What are the warning signs that mean I should:
    • Call my doctor?
    • Go to urgent care?
    • Call 911 or return to the emergency department?

Ask specifically about:

  • Follow-up appointments (trauma clinic, surgeon, PCP, physical therapy, occupational therapy)
  • Any tests or imaging you will need
  • Whether you should fast (not eat or drink) before any blood tests or procedures

Record all appointment dates and instructions in your phone, calendar, or notebook.

Preparing to Recover at Home in Grand Rapids

Equipment and Home Modifications

If you are going home after major trauma, ask about:

  • Walking aids (cane, crutches, walker)
  • Wheelchair or scooter if needed
  • Bathroom safety equipment (grab bars, shower chair, raised toilet seat)
  • Bed or seating modifications (wedges, cushions)

In Grand Rapids, your team may coordinate with:

  • Local medical equipment suppliers
  • Home health agencies
  • Occupational therapists who can assess your home for safety

Because Michigan winters can be icy and snowy, ask for specific advice about:

  • Walking safely outdoors with mobility aids
  • Managing steps or ramps when it’s icy
  • Getting to follow-up appointments in bad weather

Help at Home

Consider what help you may need with:

  • Bathing and dressing
  • Getting in and out of bed or chairs
  • Meal preparation and grocery shopping
  • House cleaning and laundry
  • Transportation to appointments

If you live alone or have a new disability after your trauma, work with your healthcare team to develop a support plan. This may include:

  • Home health nursing
  • Physical or occupational therapy at home
  • Personal care aides
  • Community resources through Kent County Health Department or local nonprofits

Understanding Your Medications

Before You Leave the Hospital

Ask to speak with a nurse or pharmacist about your medications. Make sure you know:

  • The name and purpose of each medication
  • The dose and how often to take it
  • Whether to take it with food or on an empty stomach
  • How long you are expected to take each medication
  • When your medications should be reviewed by a healthcare professional

Tell staff about:

  • Any medications, vitamins, or supplements you were taking before admission
  • Any allergies or past reactions to medications

Ask:

  • Should I restart my previous medications?
  • Are there any medicines or supplements I should avoid now?
  • What side effects should I watch for?

Have someone write down:

  • A complete medication list
  • The name and phone number of a person to call if you have questions (for example, the hospital pharmacist, trauma clinic, or your PCP in Grand Rapids)

Fill all necessary prescriptions before you leave the hospital or at a nearby pharmacy. In the Grand Rapids area, many hospital systems have on-site pharmacies, and there are multiple 24-hour or late-night pharmacies if you are discharged in the evening.

Costs, Forms, and Insurance Considerations

Before leaving the hospital, make sure you:

  • Complete all required forms and documents
  • Pick up any prescription medications you need
  • Understand what your insurance (private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, auto insurance, or workers’ compensation) will cover
  • Arrange payment for any services or products not covered by your plan

Things you may need to pay for can include:

  • Certain medical equipment requested for comfort rather than medical necessity
  • Non-emergency transportation services
  • Extra in-room services (TV upgrades, internet, non-local phone calls)

If your injuries are from a motor vehicle crash, your Michigan no-fault auto insurance may cover:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation
  • Some disability-related services
  • Home care and child care, depending on your policy

Ask to speak with:

  • A hospital social worker
  • A financial counselor
  • A case manager familiar with Michigan auto insurance and workers’ compensation

They can help you understand coverage and connect you with local resources in Grand Rapids.

If You Don’t Feel Ready to Go Home

You may feel physically or emotionally not ready to leave the hospital. Tell your healthcare team if you:

  • Still feel very weak or in severe pain
  • Are unsure how you will manage at home
  • Are feeling very anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed

You can ask to speak with:

  • Your doctor or surgeon
  • A hospital social worker or case manager
  • A psychologist, counselor, or chaplain

There are many options to support your transition, including:

  • Extra time in hospital if medically necessary
  • Transfer to inpatient rehabilitation or a skilled nursing facility
  • Additional home health or community support services

Leaving Earlier Than Your Team Recommends

You have the right to refuse treatment and leave the hospital at any time. However, if your healthcare professional recommends staying because you need hospital-level care, consider:

  • The risks of going home too soon
  • Whether you will have enough support at home
  • How you will manage medications, wound care, or mobility

If you are thinking about leaving earlier than advised:

  • Discuss your concerns openly with your doctor
  • Ask if there is a safe way to go home with extra support
  • Make sure you understand the risks and warning signs that require urgent medical care

Feedback About Your Care

If you would like to provide feedback or have concerns about your care:

  • Speak with the nurse in charge of your unit
  • Ask to speak with the hospital’s patient advocate or patient relations department

Grand Rapids hospitals have formal processes for handling compliments, complaints, and suggestions to improve patient care.

Organizing Your Ride Home

If a family member or friend is picking you up:

  • Confirm the date and time of discharge
  • Ask where they should park and which entrance to use
  • Let them know if you need anything for the car ride, such as:
    • A soft cushion
    • Extra leg room
    • Help getting in and out of the vehicle

If you need medical transport (for example, if you cannot sit safely in a car), talk with your healthcare team about arranging appropriate transportation and any related costs.

Support at Home After Major Trauma in Grand Rapids

Community and Home-Based Support

After a major trauma, many people need short-term or ongoing support at home. This can include:

  • Community support services:
    • Home health nursing
    • Physical, occupational, or speech therapy at home
    • Social work support
  • Home access and safety:
    • Ramps or rails at entrances
    • Bathroom modifications for safer bathing
    • Bed or chair transfers
  • Mobility and transportation:
    • Wheelchair, walker, or crutches
    • Car modifications or adaptive driving programs
    • Transportation options for medical appointments (paratransit, community transport)

In the Grand Rapids area, your hospital team may connect you with:

  • Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and its outpatient network
  • Home health agencies serving Kent County
  • Local social service organizations and support groups

Managing Daily Living

You may also need help with:

  • Getting and organizing medications, especially if you live in a more rural area outside the city
  • Grocery shopping and meal delivery
  • House cleaning and laundry
  • Child care and family responsibilities

Ask your healthcare team or social worker about local programs, including:

  • Kent County Health Department resources
  • Grand Rapids area nonprofits and faith-based organizations
  • Peer support groups for people with brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other major trauma

Family and Caregiver Involvement

If you have family or a caregiver:

  • Involve them early in discharge planning
  • Make sure they understand:
    • Your injuries and expected recovery
    • What kind of help you need (and what you want to do yourself)
    • Any special instructions, such as:
      • Giving medications
      • Changing bandages
      • Using mobility aids safely

Ask your healthcare team to:

  • Demonstrate tasks like wound care or injections
  • Provide written instructions
  • Allow your caregiver to practice these skills before you leave

If you are going to need extra help at home, decide:

  • Who will help with which tasks
  • How often they can be available
  • Whether you need additional paid support or community services

If Recovery at Home Is Not Going as Planned

If you are home and notice:

  • Your pain is getting worse, not better
  • You are more short of breath, dizzy, or weak
  • Your wound looks red, swollen, or is draining more
  • You are not able to manage daily activities as expected
  • Your mood is very low, or you feel increasingly anxious

Contact:

  • Your trauma specialist or surgeon (you may need an earlier appointment)
  • Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • An urgent care center or emergency department if symptoms are severe

Do not wait if you notice:

  • Chest pain
  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • New confusion or trouble speaking
  • Sudden weakness or numbness
  • High fever or signs of serious infection

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (for example, Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Rehabilitation Services in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

There are many rehabilitation options in and around Grand Rapids, offering different levels of care depending on your injuries:

  • Inpatient rehabilitation:
    For people who need intensive therapy after major trauma, including:

    • Spinal cord injury
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Severe fractures
    • Complex multi-system injuries

  • Outpatient rehabilitation:
    For those who can live at home but need regular therapy sessions.

  • Specialized rehabilitation programs:
    For:

    • Burns
    • Pediatric trauma (for example, at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital)
    • Neurologic injuries

If you were treated at a major trauma center in Grand Rapids, you may be advised to stay within that health system for inpatient rehabilitation to ensure continuity of specialist care. When possible, your team will try to arrange follow-up or outpatient care closer to your home, but this depends on the services available in your area.

Seasonal and Local Health Considerations in Michigan

Recovering from major trauma in West Michigan comes with some local factors to keep in mind:

  • Cold winters and ice:

    • Higher risk of slips and falls when you have mobility challenges
    • Dress warmly and protect surgical sites from extreme cold
    • Use handrails, wear non-slip footwear, and consider assistance outdoors

  • Snow and transportation:

    • Plan ahead for transportation to appointments during snowstorms
    • Ask about telehealth or virtual visits when travel is difficult

  • Great Lakes and outdoor activities:

    • Ask your healthcare team when it is safe to return to activities such as walking trails, boating, or swimming
    • Follow specific instructions about lifting limits and activity progression

Key Points to Remember

  • Be actively involved in decisions about your discharge and recovery.
  • Make sure you understand your discharge plan, medications, and follow-up appointments before leaving the hospital.
  • You have the right to ask questions and to have a support person present for discharge discussions.
  • If you feel unready to go home, talk to your healthcare team—there may be additional supports or rehabilitation options.
  • If you choose to leave earlier than advised, understand the risks and plan for extra support at home.
  • Use local Grand Rapids and Kent County resources, including hospital-based services, home health, and community programs, to support your recovery.

If you have any concerns once you are home, contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider promptly. Early support can prevent complications and help you move safely through your major trauma recovery.