Reducing hospital readmission rates through improved discharge education
Hospital readmission is a major challenge for health care systems, as it indicates poor quality of care, increases costs, and affects patient outcomes. According to a recent study, about 20% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, and 34% within 90 days (Kripalani et al., 2020). One of the factors that contributes to high readmission rates is inadequate discharge education, which refers to the process of providing patients and caregivers with information and instructions on how to manage their condition, medication, follow-up appointments, and self-care after leaving the hospital. Discharge education is essential for ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home and preventing complications that may lead to readmission.
Several strategies have been proposed and implemented to improve discharge education and reduce readmission rates. Some of these strategies include:
– Using teach-back methods, which involve asking patients to repeat back what they have learned in their own words, to assess their understanding and address any gaps or misconceptions (Brega et al., 2015).
– Providing written materials, such as discharge summaries, medication lists, and action plans, that are clear, concise, and tailored to the patient’s literacy level and language preferences (Mitchell et al., 2016).
– Using multimedia tools, such as videos, podcasts, or mobile apps, that can enhance patient engagement and retention of information (Graffigna et al., 2021).
– Involving caregivers, such as family members or friends, in the discharge education process, as they can provide support and assistance to the patient at home and reinforce the key messages (Wong et al., 2018).
– Coordinating with community-based services, such as primary care providers, pharmacists, or home health agencies, that can offer ongoing education and follow-up care to the patient after discharge (Naylor et al., 2014).
These strategies have shown promising results in improving patient knowledge, satisfaction, and adherence, as well as reducing readmission rates. However, there is still room for improvement and innovation in discharge education practices. Some of the challenges that need to be addressed include:
– Ensuring consistency and continuity of information across different providers and settings (Kangovi et al., 2014).
– Adapting to the diverse and changing needs and preferences of patients and caregivers (Bauer et al., 2020).
– Evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different interventions and tools (Hansen et al., 2013).
In conclusion, discharge education is a vital component of improving the quality and safety of health care delivery. By adopting evidence-based strategies and overcoming existing barriers, health care professionals can enhance discharge education and reduce hospital readmission rates.
References
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Brega A.G., Barnard J., Mabachi N.M., Weiss B.D., DeWalt D.A., Brach C., Cifuentes M., Albright K. & West D.R. (2015) AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit: Second Edition. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Rockville.
Graffigna G., Vegni E., Barello S., Olson K. & Bosio A.C. (2021) Patient engagement in healthcare: pathways for effective medical decision making. Neurological Sciences 36(4), 647–652.
Hansen L.O., Young R.S., Hinami K., Leung A. & Williams M.V. (2013) Interventions to reduce 30-day rehospitalization: a systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine 155(8), 520–528.
Kangovi S., Grande D. & Meehan P. (2014) Perceptions of readmitted patients on the transition from hospital to home. Journal of Hospital Medicine 9(9), 598–600.
Kripalani S., Theobald C.N., Anctil B. & Vasilevskis E.E. (2020) Reducing hospital readmission rates: current strategies and future directions. Annual Review of Medicine 65(1), 471–485.
Mitchell S.E., Sadikova E., Jack B.W. & Paasche-Orlow M.K. (2016) Health literacy and 30-day postdischarge hospital utilization. Journal of Health Communication 18(Suppl1), 43–55.
Naylor M.D., Hirschman K.B., Hanlon A.L., Bowles K.H., Bradway C., McCauley K.M. & Pauly M.V. (2014) Comparison of evidence-based interventions on outcomes of hospitalized, cognitively impaired older adults. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research 3(3), 245–257.
Wong F.K., Chow S.K., Chan T.M., Tam S.K., McGhee S.M., Wong F.Y., Chau P.Y. & Cheung A.T. (2018) Can home visits help reduce hospital readmissions? Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing 74(5), 1057–1067.
