SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-SAFE HANDS, HOME IN SIGHT:<br /><br />a MULTIDISCIPLINARY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION AND IMPROVING TRANSITION OF CARE

SAFE HANDS, HOME IN SIGHT:

a MULTIDISCIPLINARY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION AND IMPROVING TRANSITION OF CARE

Back to course

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement project, “Safe Hands, Home in Sight,” aimed to improve discharge communication and transitions of care for a vulnerable patient population served by NYCHHC, where many patients have low health literacy, high comorbidity, and socioeconomic barriers. The team identified that misunderstandings about diagnoses, treatment plans, follow-up care, and medications often lead to poor adherence after discharge.<br /><br />To address this, the project introduced visual medication cards as part of a standardized, multidisciplinary discharge process. Medications were linked to their indications, and physicians and nurses provided coordinated bedside education. Discussions covered the reason for admission, hospital course, follow-up appointments, and any changes to the medication regimen. Nurses then used the cards to reinforce each medication’s purpose and proper use.<br /><br />The intervention appeared especially helpful for patients with chronic disease, polypharmacy, and limited literacy. Feedback from both patients and staff was strongly positive, with clinicians reporting that the cards made discharge conversations clearer and more effective. The project also reported a 100% increase in HCAP score, suggesting improved patient understanding of discharge instructions, medication education, and follow-up care.<br /><br />Overall, the initiative showed that combining clear visual tools with a multidisciplinary approach can improve communication, medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and the transition from hospital to home.

Asset Subtitle

Jharna Bai

Meta Tag

Author List Adarlyn Guzman, Alaa Bahr, Ariane Yangco, David R. Serrano, Elissa (Tam) Suris, Ibtihal Safih, Jharna Bai, Marcos Borthelle, Reejen Monsalve Coz, Vidya Menon, Ye Aung, Yula Danova

Category Research

Concept Transitional Care

Concept Discharge Communication

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Adherence

Concept Discharge Education

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization NYCHHC/lincoln Hospital

Presenting Author Jharna Bai

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

discharge communication

transition of care

medication adherence

visual medication cards

patient education

health literacy

multidisciplinary discharge process

follow-up care

chronic disease management

patient satisfaction

Transitional Care

Discharge Communication

Patient Safety

Adherence

Discharge Education