Social Resource Assessment:Application of a Novel Communication Tool during Hospital Discharge

Regardless of condition, all hospitalized patients begin their transition from hospital to community-based settings by way of a discharge process that includes anticipatory planning (e.g., home health for supportive services) and self-management instructions (e.g., regarding medications, dressing changes, diet, activity). The quality of preparation for hospital discharge is an important determinant of patient outcomes [1]. However, the discharge process, that includes tasks such as assessing and communicating patient and family needs, individualized teaching, and organizing home going resources according to payment structures across multiple health team members, is complex, time-consuming, and fraught with problems for providers and patients as a result of declining lengths of stay, staff nurse shortages, and increased reliance on hospitalists who have a limited understanding of patients ’ outpatient needs or concerns [2–7].

Source: Patient Education and Counseling - September 21, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Andrea S. Wallace, Nicole L. Pierce, Erica Davisson, Kirstin Manges, Toni Tripp-Reimer Source Type: research