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Developing and evaluating nurse led discharge in acute medicine
V N Gotz1, A Thompson2, K Jones1
1Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton.
Acute Medicine
|December 19, 2014
Summary
Nurse-led discharge criteria were developed and implemented in a clinical decision unit. This approach proved feasible and popular with staff, showing a trend towards reduced length of stay for key patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Clinical Decision Units (CDUs) manage acute admissions.
- Standard discharge processes can be lengthy.
- Optimizing patient flow is crucial in acute settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate nurse-led discharge criteria for a CDU.
- To assess the impact of these criteria on patient length of stay and readmission.
- To gauge staff perceptions of the nurse-led discharge system.
Main Methods:
- Defined nurse-led discharge criteria for specific patient presentations (chest pain, headache, self-poisoning).
- Collected data on length of stay and readmission for 2 months post-implementation.
- Conducted a staff survey to evaluate opinions on the new criteria.
Main Results:
- A trend towards reduced length of stay was observed after implementing nurse-led discharge (18.26 hrs vs. 20 hrs).
- Staff survey results indicated high popularity and acceptance of the nurse-led discharge process.
- The system has been continued post-study.
Conclusions:
- Nurse-led discharge is a feasible and effective strategy in acute medical settings.
- Defined criteria enhance the implementation of nurse-led discharge.
- Staff found the nurse-led discharge process popular and beneficial.
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