To determine the effectiveness of a proactive discharge planning pro- gram for neurosurgical patients on caregiver’s perceived readiness for hospital discharge and occurrence in delayed discharge
The study was a quasi-experimental research study. Samples were hospitalized neurosurgical patients from surgical wards at Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand. The sample was purposively selected and assigned into control and experimental groups, 33 in each group. The control group received usual discharge planning while the experimental group received the proactive discharge planning program. Data were collected by using a demographic questionnaire and caregiver’s perceived readiness for hospital discharge questionnaire and hospital discharge record. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test.
The results found that the mean scores of the caregiver’s readiness for hospital discharge in the control and experimental groups were not statistically significantly different. However, the length of delayed discharge day (p < 0.001) and number of delayed discharge patients (p < 0.001) in the experimental group were significantly shorter and less than those in the control
The results showed positive effects of the proactive discharge planning program on delayed discharge aspect. It is recommended that home healthcare nurses should apply this program to enhance positive outcomes for hospitals, patients and caregivers.
delayed hospital discharge / discharge planning
Received: February 22, 2019
Revision received: May 5, 2019
Accepted after revision: February 13, 2020
BKK Med J 2020;16(1): 62-66.
DOI: 10.31524/bkkmedj.2020.11.012