When can I go home?
tor-NA-re — three syllables, stress on second. 'Posso' — POS-so.
Ask the doctor during a hospital stay. Also ask about the discharge process and what paperwork you will receive.
'Quando posso tornare a casa' = when can I go home. The formal discharge is called 'dimissioni' (dismissal/discharge). You will receive a 'lettera di dimissioni' (discharge letter) with your diagnosis, treatment received, and follow-up instructions. This is an important document to keep.
Quando mi fanno le dimissioni?
When will they discharge me?
'Dimissioni' is the official Italian term for hospital discharge
Ho bisogno di una lettera di dimissioni.
I need a discharge letter.
Always ask for this — required for follow-up, insurance, and sick leave
Devo fare qualcosa di speciale a casa?
Do I need to do anything special at home?
Ask about post-discharge care, medications, and activity restrictions
The 'lettera di dimissioni' (discharge summary) in Italy must include: diagnosis, treatments received, medications prescribed, and follow-up instructions. Patients have the right to receive this document. The Italian DRG system ('tariffe DRG') determines hospital stay reimbursement — creating incentives for shorter stays in public hospitals. Average Italian hospital stay is 6-7 days, shorter than in many European countries.