Kelly Leamy1, John Thompson2, Biswadev Mitra3. 1. Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Alfred La Trobe Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia; Clinical Research Centre, University College Dublin School of Medicine & Medical Science, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: Kelly.leamy@ucd.ie. 2. Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Alfred La Trobe Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients currently receive discharge summaries including investigation results, medical assessment and follow up requirements with health professionals on discharge from the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to evaluate if a simplified discharge information card in addition to current care improved patients' awareness of their discharge diagnosis and requirements for follow-up appointment. METHODS: A prospective pre-post design interventional study was conducted. The pre-intervention phase collected data from patients who did not receive the discharge card. The post-intervention phase occurred after implementing the discharge card. Participants underwent brief interviews to assess awareness of diagnosis and follow-up appointment requirements after discharge. Responses were compared to the plan in the medical notes and concordance determined. RESULTS: There were 112 patients in the pre-intervention group and 117 in the post-intervention group. Awareness of discharge diagnosis improved from 73.2% (95% CI: 64.3-80.5) of pre-interventions participants to 89.7% (95% CI: 82.9-94.0) for participants receiving the discharge card (p<0.001; NNT 6.1 patients). Statistically significant improvements were observed regarding knowledge of follow-up destination and timing. CONCLUSION: A short discharge information card improved awareness of discharge diagnoses and follow-up requirements. Such interventions that empower patients with knowledge about their health, should be considered prior to discharge from EDs.
BACKGROUND:Patients currently receive discharge summaries including investigation results, medical assessment and follow up requirements with health professionals on discharge from the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to evaluate if a simplified discharge information card in addition to current care improved patients' awareness of their discharge diagnosis and requirements for follow-up appointment. METHODS: A prospective pre-post design interventional study was conducted. The pre-intervention phase collected data from patients who did not receive the discharge card. The post-intervention phase occurred after implementing the discharge card. Participants underwent brief interviews to assess awareness of diagnosis and follow-up appointment requirements after discharge. Responses were compared to the plan in the medical notes and concordance determined. RESULTS: There were 112 patients in the pre-intervention group and 117 in the post-intervention group. Awareness of discharge diagnosis improved from 73.2% (95% CI: 64.3-80.5) of pre-interventions participants to 89.7% (95% CI: 82.9-94.0) for participants receiving the discharge card (p<0.001; NNT 6.1 patients). Statistically significant improvements were observed regarding knowledge of follow-up destination and timing. CONCLUSION: A short discharge information card improved awareness of discharge diagnoses and follow-up requirements. Such interventions that empower patients with knowledge about their health, should be considered prior to discharge from EDs.
Authors: Ivy Benjenk; Eva H DuGoff; Gwen C Jacobsohn; Nia Cayenne; Courtney M C Jones; Thomas V Caprio; Jeremy T Cushman; Rebecca K Green; Amy J H Kind; Michael Lohmeier; Ranran Mi; Manish N Shah Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2020-09-07 Impact factor: 3.451