SHBC1412
L.L.LAU1, J.M.P. CHEE1, W.T. CHEN1, Z.R. TAN1, J.Y. YEO1, B. BANGAR1
Tan Tock Seng Hospital1
Poor discharge planning and communication amongst care team affects patient’s care transition. A biopsychosocial approach was adopted to explore on patient’s care needs and co-develop a holistic discharge care plan. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a tripartite case discussion in formulating discharge care plans for smooth transition from hospital to home.
Data was collected from July 2020 to March 2021 on the case discussions conducted by Ward Resource Nurse (WRN), CHT Nurse and AIC staff for patients who were admitted for seven days or longer in four acute care wards. Readmission rates pre- and post- 90days of weekly case discussion on 275 patients were measured.
A total of 356 discussions was conducted for 275 patients. Fourteen patients (5.1%) had discussion done but nil established care plans, 43 (15.6%) were successfully discharged to community service provider(s), 99 (36%) were enrolled into CHT, 119 (43.3%) were followed up by WRN. A positive reduction in utilisation of hospital facilities was seen from 365 admissions pre-90 days to 146 admissions post-90 days. A survey questionnaire has shown that the discussions promoted closer communications amongst the team and raised awareness on the importance of discharge planning with available community support services.
Tripartite case discussion is effective in helping to formulate better discharge care plan for patients and aiding smoother transition of care from hospital to home, as shown in the reduction of readmissions. This was achieved by the closer collaboration and communication between hospital and community teams.
