Discharge planning requires communication, coordination, education, patient participation, and collaboration to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life and reduce stress.
Does comprehensive discharge planning improve patient satisfaction and quality of life in patients discharged from acute care?
Effective discharge planning requires communication, coordination, education, and patient participation to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life.
For the most part, discharge from hospital is routine and uneventful. However, for a percentage of people, discharge from acute care requires careful planning to ensure continuity of care. This is particularly the case with older patients who have complex medical needs. This literature review reveals that the essential elements for discharge planning are: communication, coordination, education, patient participation and collaboration between medical personnel. Outcomes measures of successful discharge planning include patient satisfaction and quality of life. Smooth and efficient coordination of this process reduces stress and anxiety for the patient, family, nurse, doctor, hospital and community services.
Carroll et al. (2007) conducted a review in Hospital discharge. Discharge planning was evaluated on Patient satisfaction and quality of life. Discharge planning requires communication, coordination, education, patient participation, and collaboration to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life and reduce stress.