Standards for hospital discharge information
High-quality hospital discharge information helps ensure people receive safe and coordinated care when they leave hospital and move between healthcare and care settings.
Developing standards for hospital discharge information is part of the Commission’s work to advance connected care through standardised data, one of the four priorities for high-quality, digitally enabled care.
The National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) Addendum 2026-31 also identifies this as an area of critical importance. Under clause D47 of the Agreement, the Commission is responsible for developing standards to improve the quality and timeliness of hospital discharge information.
The Commission will work with governments, national bodies, healthcare organisations, clinicians, consumers, carers and other stakeholders to develop the standards for approval by the Health Chief Executives Forum. In alignment with the NHRA, the standards will be completed by 30 June 2027.
Why is this work needed?
High-quality discharge information is essential for safely transferring a person's care from hospital to other healthcare and care settings.
Incomplete, inaccurate or delayed information can contribute to medication errors, unsafe transitions of care, potentially preventable hospitalisations and avoidable readmissions.
These risks may be greater for some populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, older people, people living in residential aged care and people with disability.
1 in 3 patients
Up to 1 in 3 patients discharged to residential aged care miss doses of their prescribed medicines in the 24–72 hours after discharge
2.3 times
Individuals with one or more medicines missing from their discharge information are 2.3 times times more likely to be readmitted to hospital than those with correct information at discharge
79%
The complete absence of a discharge summary at TOC was associated with a 79% increase in the risk of readmission within 7 days
Project overview
The standards will define the clinical information needed to support person-centred continuity of care after discharge from hospital.
They will consider:
- what information should be shared for all patients being discharged from hospital
- why particular information is important for safety and continuity of care
- when information is required
- who needs the information to support ongoing care
- when additional information may be needed for particular patient populations or care settings.
Timeline
The project timeline will include two rounds of consultation before the hospital discharge information standards are finalised and submitted to the Health Chief Executives Forum for approval by 30 June 2027.
Engagement
Stakeholders will be engaged throughout the project to:
- identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen baseline clinical requirements for hospital discharge information
- validate proposed clinical requirements
- share insights on the quality and timeliness of discharge information
- share examples of effective practice that support safer transitions of care and improved outcomes after discharge
We want to hear from people and organisations that receive, use, prepare or rely on hospital discharge information. This includes:
- patients, families, carers and consumer advocates
- general practitioners and general practice teams
- nurses and midwives
- pharmacists
- allied health professionals
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health system leaders and peak bodies
- residential aged care providers and workers
- disability care providers and workers
- primary health networks
- public and private hospitals and day hospitals
- rural and remote health services
- professional colleges, associations and peak bodies
- Australian Government agencies and national bodies
- state and territory health departments.
Governance
The project is being led by the Commission as part of its work under the National Health Reform Agreement 2026–31.
The project is supported by the Commission's established governance arrangements and advisory groups.
Contact
For questions and to provide feedback on the hospital discharge information standards, contact the Digital Health Team.
Stay in touch
Keep up to date with project updates, including consultation information and how you can be involved.