SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Novel Discharge Template for Patients With Substance Use Disorder on Hospital Metrics

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement project examines whether a novel discharge note template can reduce hospital length of stay for inpatients with substance use disorder, especially opioid use disorder, on Hospital Medicine services. The project is motivated by the observation that these patients tend to have longer stays than other medical patients, and that better coordination between Hospital Medicine and Addiction Medicine may improve discharge efficiency and outcomes.<br /><br />The intervention is a standardized note template created by the Addiction Medicine team to clearly communicate when a patient is medically and addiction-wise ready for discharge. The template is intended to streamline communication, support discharge planning, and serve as a “one stop shop” for the care team.<br /><br />The study design compares baseline length-of-stay data from a 3-month period for patients with substance use disorder followed by the Addiction Medicine Consult Service to similar patients after the template is introduced. The total sample includes 79 patients: 34 Hospitalist patients and 45 patients seen by both Addiction Medicine and Hospitalists.<br /><br />The central hypothesis is that using the discharge template will shorten hospital stays for this patient population. The project also suggests future directions, including evaluating 30-day readmission rates and adapting the template for other clinical settings.

Asset Subtitle

Gabriella DeStefano

Meta Tag

Author List Casey Dalsey, Cynthia Glickman, Gabriella DeStefano, Matthew Salzman, Molly Kastner

Category Innovations

Concept Discharge Note Template

Concept Substance Use Disorder

Concept Addiction Medicine

Concept Quality Improvement

Concept Length of Stay

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Presenting Author Gabriella DeStefano

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

substance use disorder

opioid use disorder

hospital length of stay

discharge note template

addiction medicine

hospital medicine

discharge planning

quality improvement

care coordination

readmission rates

Discharge Note Template

Substance Use Disorder

Addiction Medicine

Quality Improvement

Length of Stay