Readiness for hospital discharge among patients requiring home nutrition support: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to investigate readiness for hospital discharge of patients requiring home nutrition support and explore the factors that influence this readiness.

This cross-sectional survey included 220 patients discharged from the general surgery department of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in China with home nutrition support. Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale scores were calculated and general, disease- and therapy-related information were collected. Univariate, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

The mean standardized total Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale score was 7.33±1.65, with the subscales expected support, personal status, perceived coping ability, and knowledge scoring 7.40±1.78, 7.35±1.66, 7.30±1.73, and 7.26±1.74, respectively. The mean standardized Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale score was 7.48±1.59. The Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale score, length of hospital stay, expected length of home nutrition support, first-time use of home nutrition support, Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 score, and diagnosis were all identified as influencing factors of readiness for discharge (adjusted R2=0.564, F=14.5, p<0.001).

Patients requiring home nutrition support were only moderately ready for discharge. Enhancing the quality of education on patient discharge could significantly improve readiness for discharge, in which patients who have been admitted for longer periods require more attention. They are expected to utilize home nutrition support in the long-term, are at risk of malnutrition, are using home nutrition support for the first time, or have a digestive system malignancy.