In short. Discharge, escort requirements, transport after sedation or anaesthesia, and what you should not do on the way home — the part of a procedure patients plan least and need most.
Key points
- Make sure you have written instructions covering medicines, wound or site care, activity limits, warning signs, and who to contact if something goes wrong.
- Make sure you know when you are expected back.
- If any of it has been explained only verbally, ask for it in writing before you go.
The journey home after a procedure gets less thought than the procedure itself, and it is where avoidable problems happen. The hospital will give you specific discharge instructions for your own case, and those instructions come first. What follows is the general preparation that makes them easier to follow: an escort, a plan for transport, and a realistic idea of how the rest of the day will go.
You should not drive yourself home
After sedation or anaesthesia you should not drive yourself home, and in most cases you should not travel home alone. Reaction times, judgement and alertness are affected for longer than people expect, even when you feel clear-headed. Arrange in advance for an adult to collect you, and confirm with the hospital what it requires: some units will not discharge you unless an escort is present, and some require that the escort stays with you for the first night.
Plan the transport before the day
Decide who is taking you home and by what means, and make it a plan that still works if you are discharged later than expected. Public transport is rarely comfortable after a procedure and is difficult with a companion carrying bags. If you are travelling a long distance, ask the hospital whether you should stay nearby for a night rather than travel the same day.
Before you leave the building
Make sure you have written instructions covering medicines, wound or site care, activity limits, warning signs, and who to contact if something goes wrong. Make sure you know when you are expected back. If any of it has been explained only verbally, ask for it in writing before you go.
On the way home
Keep the journey calm and unhurried. Do not plan to stop for shopping, errands or a meal on the way. Do not drink alcohol, and do not take any medicine that has not been agreed with the clinical team, including anything you normally take for pain. If you feel unwell during the journey, stop and seek help rather than pressing on to get home.
The first night
Arrange for someone to be with you, or at least able to reach you, for the first night after sedation or anaesthesia. Prepare in advance so that you do not have to do anything physical when you get in: food within reach, medicines where you can find them, a phone charged and a number to call. Sleep, and keep the next day clear.
Seek help rather than waiting if
- You have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or you faint — treat this as an emergency and get help immediately.
- You have severe pain, heavy bleeding, or a wound that is opening, rather than the discomfort you were told to expect.
- You feel worse rather than better, or something simply does not seem right — contact the hospital and say so.
The hospital will tell you if the discharge plan changes, and it will tell you what to watch for in your own case. Follow that over anything general you read here, and do not travel home alone if you have been told not to.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive myself home after a procedure?
No. After sedation or anaesthesia you should not drive yourself home, and in most cases you should not travel home alone. Reaction times, judgement and alertness are affected for longer than people expect, even when you feel clear-headed. Arrange in advance for an adult to collect you.
What should I make sure I have before leaving the building?
Written instructions covering medicines, wound or site care, activity limits, warning signs and who to contact if something goes wrong, plus the date you are expected back. If any of it has been explained only verbally, ask for it in writing before you go.
How should I plan the first night at home?
Arrange for someone to be with you, or at least able to reach you, for the first night after sedation or anaesthesia. Prepare in advance so that you do not have to do anything physical when you get in: food within reach, medicines where you can find them, a charged phone and a number to call.
Risks & Limitations
- Travel and waiting times vary. A journey, a queue or a first appointment can take considerably longer than expected, and a visit may fill a working day.
- Hospital routes, entrances and services can change. Information here may not reflect a change made after this page was last reviewed.
- This guide cannot replace the instructions given to you personally by the hospital or your clinical team. Where the two differ, follow the instructions you were given.
- Practical and logistical information should be confirmed with the hospital before you rely on it, particularly for anything time-critical.
- Nothing on this site is medical advice, and none of it describes your own case.
When to Seek Care
- If you become unwell while travelling to or waiting at the hospital, tell a member of staff immediately rather than waiting for your appointment.
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing or fainting are emergencies — attend the emergency department or call for help at once.
- Severe pain or heavy bleeding should not wait for a scheduled appointment.
- If you are unsure whether something is urgent, ask. Staff would rather be told early than late.
References & Further Reading
- World Health Organization (WHO) — patient safety and health service guidance
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK) — guidance on patient experience and care
- Chongqing West District Hospital — official hospital information and notices
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and it does not cite individual studies. Practical arrangements described here should be confirmed with the hospital. To plan a visit to Chongqing West District Hospital, see Contact & Planning.