Nurse Led Discharge Research Paper

Respiratory Discharge Nurse Specialist
(Nurse Led Discharge)

A Concept Paper for the course Evolving Roles of the Nurse in Education, Practice and Research

Raymund Christopher R. dela Peña
Saint Louis University

Background
Patients who are well enough for discharge are sometimes spending hours or days longer than they needed to in hospital waiting for the next doctor’s ward round. At the same time, patients in the emergency department are waiting for a bed to become available so they could be admitted to a ward. This led to frustrations for both patients and staff. A nurse-led discharge could be the answer to these problems.
Nurse led discharge is a process that involves nurses assessing the patient, liaising with the
Although there have seen development in nursing roles, discharge planning has rarely been seen as an area ripe for new roles. However, there are clear benefits for the patients, nurses and trusts in developing a nurse-led discharge and a discharge nurse specialist.
Nurse led discharge is about nurses taking responsibility for initiating, driving and following through on the decision to discharge which may be carried out in partnership with medical colleagues and within clear protocols. This culture change of nurses taking ownership of driving patient discharge has real potential to make far reaching changes in future reform and modernisation of service
Involve the patient/family in the discharge process.
4. Discuss with physician the discharge plan and obtain orders if needed.
5. Contact appropriate personnel with orders.
6. Provide written and verbal instructions at the patient/family 's level of understanding.
7. Verbally explain instructions to patient/family prior to discharge and provide patient/family with a written copy.
8. Ascertain that patient has follow-up care arranged at discharge.
9. Provide verbal and written information on what signs and symptoms to observe and when to contact the physician.
10. Assess if any community resources should be utilized (i.e.: Home Health Nurse), and contact appropriate personnel.
11. Document all discharge teaching on Discharge Instruction Sheet and Nursing notes.
12. Develop, implement, evaluate, and direct Discharge Planning and Care Coordination services, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines.
13. Assess and assure appropriateness of post discharge services needed, utilizing patient demographics, clinical information and insurance requirements.
14. Effectively communicate and coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, clinical staff, physicians, patients and