SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Transition of Care at Discharge-Discharge Check List

Pdf Summary

The document describes a quality improvement project to improve discharge safety and the transition of care using a standardized discharge checklist. The need for the intervention arose from repeated anecdotal reports that important discharge steps were being missed, including omitted medications, incomplete instructions for postoperative drains, and failure to schedule follow-up appointments. These gaps sometimes led to unplanned readmissions.<br /><br />The checklist was developed collaboratively by nursing leadership, bedside staff, and the Director of Quality/Patient Experience on a 46-bed medical-surgical unit in a small community hospital. It was designed to improve consistency, allow real-time correction of errors, and reduce avoidable readmissions. The checklist included key elements such as disease management education, postoperative care instructions, medication reconciliation and education, and identification of home-care needs. In some cases, goal-directed therapy was also included for certain diagnoses.<br /><br />Staff were trained and the pilot was launched. Outcomes were measured using patient experience data from HCAHPS and NRC Health real-time feedback, along with direct reports of errors caught by the checklist. The project identified several important problems that were corrected before discharge, including wrong or missing medications and incorrect discharge diagnoses. It also helped patients who lacked timely pharmacy access obtain prescriptions through the inpatient pharmacy.<br /><br />Overall, the pilot demonstrated that a discharge checklist can improve discharge accuracy, support patient education, and prevent potentially harmful post-discharge errors. The authors recommend expanding the checklist to other units and maintaining consistent data collection to monitor compliance and outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Lakmali C. Ranathunga

Meta Tag

Author List Jennifer Harris, Lakmali C. Ranathunga, Lindsey Hartley, Melissa Hodges

Category Innovations

Concept Transitional Care

Concept Hospital Discharge

Concept Discharge Checklist

Concept Patient Outcomes

Concept Readmission

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Premier Health

Presenting Author Lakmali C. Ranathunga

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

discharge checklist

patient safety

transition of care

quality improvement

medication reconciliation

postoperative instructions

follow-up appointments

readmission prevention

patient education

hospital discharge

Transitional Care

Hospital Discharge

Discharge Checklist

Patient Outcomes

Readmission