Should discharge instructions be made comprehensible?
A large survey study also found that patients’ ratings of “instructions given about how to care for yourself at home” showed a strong, consistent positive relationship with overall patient satisfaction [7]. Clearly, discharge instructions should not only be given, but also be made comprehensible to patients and families.
What is the purpose of discharge instructions?
Discharge instructions provide critical information for patients to manage their own care. These instructions are required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), as Core Measures to meet accreditation and public reporting requirements [1, 2].
Why are pictographs not used in discharge instructions?
Although numerous studies in health care and other fields have demonstrated that pictographs can improve comprehension, several problems inhibit the use of pictographs in discharge instructions. One problem is the lack of a standard or validated pictograph language for patient communication.
Does JCAHO-required discharge instruction reduce readmissions for heart failure?
One recent study analyzed the effect of JCAHO-required discharge instruction on heart failure patients. It found that patients who received all required instructions were significantly less likely to be readmitted for any cause and for heart failure than those who did not [14].
What are discharge instructions?
In this article, discharge instructions are defined as any form of documentation given to the patient or guardian, upon discharge to home, for the purpose of facilitating safe and appropriate continuity of care.
What would be some key points to cover during discharge instructions for this patient?
A written transition plan or discharge summary is completed and includes diagnosis, active issues, medications, services needed, warning signs, and emergency contact information. The plan is written in the patient's language.
Do patients understand discharge instructions?
We found that patients had poor understanding of discharge instructions, ranging from 24.0% having poor understanding of their follow-up plan to 64.0% for RTED instructions. Almost half (42%) of patients did not receive complete discharge instructions.
What is ED discharge?
Emergency department (ED) discharge failure, such as ED return within 72 hours or more, poor compliance, or lack of comprehension, carries significant clinical implications for patients, including unfinished treatments and progression of illness. But there is only limited understanding of such risk factors currently.
What should be included in a discharge plan?
Your discharge plan should include information about where you will be discharged to, the types of care you need, and who will provide that care. It should be written in simple language and include a complete list of your medications with dosages and usage information.
How do I write a discharge order?
6 Components of a Hospital Discharge SummaryReason for hospitalization: description of the patient's primary presenting condition; and/or. ... Significant findings: ... Procedures and treatment provided: ... Patient's discharge condition: ... Patient and family instructions (as appropriate): ... Attending physician's signature:
What are the actions should be taken when discharging a patient?
Discharging A Patient - Here's What You Need to Know and DoExplain the Paperwork Thoroughly. Make sure you read through the discharge paperwork with the patient and their family members to ensure they understand everything completely. ... Review medications. ... Never make assumptions. ... Follow Up.
How many patients understand their discharge instructions?
Results: We found that patients had poor understanding of discharge instructions, ranging from 24.0% having poor understanding of their follow-up plan to 64.0% for RTED instructions. Almost half (42%) of patients did not receive complete discharge instructions.
What is the importance of discharge teaching?
In summary, discharge instructions play several critical roles. They help a patient understand what is known about their condition and what was done for them in the emergency department. They also provide a plan for treatment and follow-up and reasons to return to the emergency department.
How do emergency physicians make discharge decisions?
We used descriptive statistics and 95% CIs. Results We interviewed 88.9% (32/36) of possible ED physicians for 366 discharge decisions. Respondents were mostly male (71.9%) and experienced (53.1% >10 years). ED physicians stated they used clinical judgement in 87.6% of decisions and evidence in 12.4%.
Can you be discharged from the emergency room?
An easy way to look at the requirements for ER personnel is that they have to screen and stabilize a patient in an emergency medical condition but can discharge them from the ER as soon as they are stabilized.
Can a hospital discharge a patient who has nowhere to go?
California's Health and Safety Code requires hospitals to have a discharge policy for all patients, including those who are homeless. Hospitals must make prior arrangements for patients, either with family, at a care home, or at another appropriate agency, the code says.