Position paper ANMCO in collaboration with Italian Alliance for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention (ITACARE-P): ‘the management of hospital discharge’

Hospital discharge is a pivotal stage in the continuum of care, marking the transition from the acute clinical episode to subsequent therapeutic management. Rather than being a purely administrative procedure, discharge is a multifaceted process that requires structured planning, clear communication, and the coordinated participation of all healthcare stakeholders, with the patient playing a central role. Inadequate discharge processes may adversely affect clinical outcomes and increase hospital readmission rates, resulting in sub-optimal utilization of healthcare resources. This issue is particularly relevant in the context of an ageing and increasingly frail population, characterized by a high burden of comorbidities and complex clinical needs. In this setting, discharge planning should be treated as an integral component of the care pathway, embedded within a comprehensive, coordinated model of care. This document proposes an updated, practical framework for hospital discharge management, grounded in current scientific evidence and multidisciplinary expertise. Its primary objective is to enhance continuity of care, support individualized treatment strategies, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Specifically, this paper aims to provide clinical cardiologists with a structured reference tool for discharge management, including actionable recommendations to strengthen physician–patient communication, optimize therapeutic regimens, and promote better health outcomes.