Nurses rate readiness for discharge higher than patients do, and nurses scores predict readmission or ED utilisation after discharge better than patient self-assessment
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and Honorary Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Univeristy of Queensland, Australia
- Correspondence to Desley Gail Hegney
Block E3A, Level 3, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117574; nurdgh{at}nus.edu.sg
- Published Online First 5 August 2010
This paper reports on a substudy within a larger study. Specifically this paper addresses the perception of the registered nurse and patient with regard to: (A) their readiness to be discharged and (B) the postdischarged utilisation of emergency departments (EDs) or their readmission in four linked Magnet designated hospitals in the USA.
There is no doubt that the discharge of patients from the acute care setting without adequate discharge planning prior to discharge can result in the need for readmission or emergency care. This is particularly the case in older patients. This study, however, focused on adults, particular postsurgical adults rather than the older people.
The study used the Readiness for Hospital Discharge …
