Comprehensive Discharge Education: A Case Study
Improving Individual Health Practices and Patient Understanding through Comprehensive Discharge Education
Improving Individual Health Practices and Patient Understanding through Comprehensive Discharge Education.
As healthcare enters a new frontier with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of previously uninsured Americans will flood the healthcare market. As members of this complex and vast healthcare system, individuals will constantly transition on a health and wellness continuum as well as into and out of acute care, community care, home health care, and self care. In our current state, a frequently encountered problem in hospitals is …show more content…
(Maramba et al., 2004). However, current trends in healthcare indicate higher acuity patients in hospitals for shorter amounts of time and being released to home or community care sooner than ever before. Inadequate discharge planning is contributing to readmissions, inadequate follow up after discharge and lack of preparation for self-care after discharge because of insufficient patient education. (Maramba et al., 2004). Jack (2009), found that patients who have a clear understanding of their after-hospital care instructions are 30% less likely to be readmitted or visit the emergency department. Interceding to thwart preventable readmissions will aide to ease the stress on an already overburdened healthcare system as well as to reduce and save health care expenditures. Maloney found that “patients discharged with unmet needs are at a higher risk for posthospital complications, readmissions, and decreased satisfaction with care.” (Maloney et al., …show more content…
At the conclusion of this quality improvement it is anticipated that SJMC 2west/3north will have developed and implemented a discharge policy that can then be introduced hospital wide. Expediting patient discharges in a safe, timely, yet effective manner without increasing nursing workload or documentation will assist to free up bed availability and ensure a smooth transition from acute care to
Improving Individual Health Practices and Patient Understanding through Comprehensive Discharge Education.
As healthcare enters a new frontier with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of previously uninsured Americans will flood the healthcare market. As members of this complex and vast healthcare system, individuals will constantly transition on a health and wellness continuum as well as into and out of acute care, community care, home health care, and self care. In our current state, a frequently encountered problem in hospitals is …show more content…
(Maramba et al., 2004). However, current trends in healthcare indicate higher acuity patients in hospitals for shorter amounts of time and being released to home or community care sooner than ever before. Inadequate discharge planning is contributing to readmissions, inadequate follow up after discharge and lack of preparation for self-care after discharge because of insufficient patient education. (Maramba et al., 2004). Jack (2009), found that patients who have a clear understanding of their after-hospital care instructions are 30% less likely to be readmitted or visit the emergency department. Interceding to thwart preventable readmissions will aide to ease the stress on an already overburdened healthcare system as well as to reduce and save health care expenditures. Maloney found that “patients discharged with unmet needs are at a higher risk for posthospital complications, readmissions, and decreased satisfaction with care.” (Maloney et al., …show more content…
At the conclusion of this quality improvement it is anticipated that SJMC 2west/3north will have developed and implemented a discharge policy that can then be introduced hospital wide. Expediting patient discharges in a safe, timely, yet effective manner without increasing nursing workload or documentation will assist to free up bed availability and ensure a smooth transition from acute care to