Going home after hospitalization in Spain

Medical discharge does not automatically mean that ordinary travel home is safe.

Local situation at discharge

Ask what the patient may bear weight on, how long they can sit, and what follow-up remains necessary.

Transport decision

The discharge letter, medications and relevant test results are sent to the Belgian healthcare provider.

Route and assistance

Pain relief, nutrition, toilet assistance and mobility are coordinated with the route and waiting time.

Arrival and handover

A bed, assistance with stairs, a general practitioner and home nursing are ready.

Additional point of attention

Spanish brand names are linked to active ingredients wherever possible.

Information required

Identification, a medical summary, current medication and exact addresses remain with the care team. If anything changes, the route is reassessed.

The first 24 hours at home

Before arrival, it is clear who will administer medication, assist with eating and using the toilet, and call the doctor if problems arise. New Spanish prescriptions are compared with the patient’s previous home medication. A general practitioner or home nurse receives the discharge report. Family members should not leave the patient alone just because the transport went well; fatigue and mobility problems may become more apparent after the long journey.

Frequently asked questions

Often yes, but the form of transport depends on medical stability, distance, documents, route and available guidance. Sometimes a patient can travel with a medical escort on a scheduled flight, while in other cases stretcher transport, ambulance or an air ambulance is required.

Usually diagnosis, medical report, medication, mobility, oxygen requirements, infection status, pain level and destination are needed. Airline medical clearance and fit-to-fly information can also be important during a flight.

Sometimes yes. This depends on the chosen form of transport, medical occupancy, airline rules, available places and the condition of the patient. If family cannot travel, communication can be clearly coordinated along the way.

Air ambulance is mainly considered in case of instability, ventilation, intensive monitoring, high oxygen shortage or when a commercial flight is not medically justified. In stable patients, it is first examined whether a less intensive solution is safe.

This could be at home, but also a hospital, rehabilitation center, residential care institution or other care location. The destination is coordinated in advance so that the transfer takes place safely upon arrival.

Returning home after hospitalization in Spain