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Improving discharge planning communication between hospitals and patients
P W New1,2,3, K E McDougall1, C P R Scroggie1
1Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Kingston Centre, Monash Health.
Internal Medicine Journal
|October 7, 2015
Summary
A bedside information sheet significantly improved patient and family understanding of discharge plans, including the key clinician, date, and destination. This simple tool enhances hospital discharge communication.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare communication
- Patient safety
- Hospital discharge planning
Background:
- Communication gaps between healthcare teams and patients/families can impede safe hospital discharge.
- Effective discharge planning requires clear communication regarding medical care and post-hospital arrangements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a bedside 'Leaving Hospital Information Sheet' on patient and family knowledge.
- To assess improvements in awareness of discharge date, destination, and key clinician.
Main Methods:
- A before-after study design involving patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
- Implementation of a bedside 'Leaving Hospital Information Sheet' with discharge details.
- Assessment of patient/family knowledge and staff perceptions pre- and post-implementation.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in patient knowledge of their key clinician (31% to 75%) and discharge date (54% to 86%).
- Improved family knowledge of the anticipated discharge date (78% to 96%).
- Staff reported the information sheet was helpful for communicating discharge plans.
Conclusions:
- A bedside 'Leaving Hospital Information Sheet' can enhance communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- This intervention shows potential for improving patient understanding and facilitating smoother hospital discharges.
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