A project to improve the completion rate of discharge-planning services for organ-transplant patients
Journal
Journal of Nursing
Journal Volume
61
Journal Issue
3
Pages
79-86
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: The average score for satisfaction with self-care instructions among transplant patients was 84 out of 100 in a 2010 survey of patient satisfaction with discharge-planning services. This score was significantly below the hospital average of 90. In addition, discharged patients made more frequent telephone inquiries to healthcare providers to ask questions about post-organ-transplantation self-care. A follow-up study targeted a sample of 30 discharged transplantation patients using hospital medical record reviews and telephone inquiries. This survey found a transplant instruction completion rate of 75% during discharge preparation and 69% accuracy among participants in answering self-care knowledge questions. Both figures were lower than expected. PURPOSE: The goal of this project was to increase the instruction completion rate from 75% to 100% and the percentage of correct answers to self-care knowledge questions self-care knowledge from 69% to 95%. RESOLUTIONS: This study integrated all relevant nursing information into a standardized discharge-planning service booklet that was given to inpatients for reference. Furthermore, a self-care checklist was developed and introduced. Finally, a standard procedure for delivering nursing instructions and a regular audit and follow-up monitoring system were established. RESULTS: The nurses' instruction completion rate rose to 100% and the percentage of questions on self-care knowledge correctly answered by patients increased to 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Adopting a patient-centered philosophy of care and a model of interdisciplinary collaboration effectively integrated resources and promotes nursing quality and quality of life for transplant patients. The project effectively improved the completing rate for post-transplant discharge-planning service instructions and enhanced the self-care knowledge of transplant patients.
Type
review