In healthcare terminology, what does ‘discharge’ imply for a patient?

The term 'discharge' in healthcare terminology specifically refers to the completion of a patient's hospital stay. When a patient is discharged, it means that they have completed the necessary treatment or recovery process, and their medical team has determined that they are stable and can safely leave the hospital. Discharge can involve the provision of instructions for continuing care, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments to ensure ongoing recovery after leaving the facility.

The other options do not accurately depict the meaning of 'discharge.' The commencement of treatment implies the start of care, which is contrary to the concept of discharge. Initiation of new treatment suggests that the patient will be undergoing additional interventions, which is not related to the process of leaving the hospital. An emergency transfer to another facility describes a situation where a patient needs to be moved for urgent care, rather than indicating that they are completing their treatment and going home.