Standardized Hospital Discharge Communication for Patients With Pressure Injury: A Quasi-experimental Trial

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Informatics
• Wound Care Management

Background:

• Effective communication between hospital-based wound care nurses and home health nurses is crucial for patients with pressure injuries.
• Gaps in communication can lead to delays in treatment and impact patient outcomes.
• Standardized electronic tools may improve care coordination and adherence to treatment plans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if standardized electronic wound care order sets and discharge instructions improve communication between nurses.
• To determine if these interventions decrease treatment delay and 30-day readmission rates for pressure injury patients discharged home.
• To assess the impact on wound healing rates.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group trial design was employed.
• Adult patients with stage 2 or higher pressure injuries discharged to home care were included.
• Standardized electronic wound care order sets and discharge instructions were implemented, and medical records were reviewed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Time to treatment initiation decreased from 2.4 days (control) to 1.6 days (intervention).
• The intervention group showed 100% adherence for wound care orders and 92% for discharge instructions.
• No statistically significant differences were found in wound healing scores or 30-day readmission rates between groups.

Conclusions:

• Standardized electronic order sets enhanced adherence to timely implementation and documentation of wound care orders by home health nurses.
• The study highlights the potential of standardized tools to improve care processes.
• Further research is recommended to ascertain the direct impact of these interventions on patient outcomes.