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Patient satisfaction with an early discharge home visit program.
Susan Nielsen Dana1, Karen A Wambach
1University of Kansas Hospital Authority, Kansas City, USA. susan@mediationworks.com
Summary
A Midwest academic medical center improved maternal and infant care with a home follow-up program. Key patient satisfaction factors included nurse friendliness, technical skills, infant care education, and personalized attention.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Early discharge of mothers and newborns necessitates continued healthcare support.
- Home care programs can bridge the gap between hospital and home environments.
- Advanced practice nurses play a crucial role in post-discharge care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a home care follow-up program for early-discharged mothers and newborns.
- To identify key elements influencing patient satisfaction with the program.
- To provide insights for improving and developing similar healthcare programs.
Main Methods:
- Initiation of an advanced practice nurse-led home care program in 1995.
- Systematic collection of patient satisfaction data from program inception.
- Analysis of patient feedback to identify satisfaction correlates.
Main Results:
- Nurse friendliness was a significant factor in patient satisfaction.
- Technical skills of the advanced practice nurse positively impacted satisfaction.
- Effective infant care teaching and individualized patient care were major correlates of satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Home care programs led by advanced practice nurses are effective for early-discharged mothers and newborns.
- Focusing on nurse interpersonal skills and educational support enhances patient satisfaction.
- These findings can guide the enhancement of current and development of new home care initiatives.