CARE TRANSTION IN HOSPITAL DISCHARGE FOR ADULT PATIENTS: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to summarize and analyze the scientific production on care transition in the hospital discharge of adult patients. Method: integrative review, conducted from May to July 2020, in four relevant databases in the health area: Public Medline (PubMed); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); Scopus and Virtual Health Library (VHL). The analysis of the results occurred descriptively and was organized into thematic categories that emerged according to the similarity of the contents extracted from the articles. Results: 46 articles from national and international journals, with a predominance of descriptive/non-experimental studies or qualitative studies, met the inclusion criteria. Five categories were identified: discharge and post-discharge process; Continuity of post-discharge care; Benefits of care transition; Role of nurses in care transition and Experiences of patients on care transition. Hospital discharge and care transitions are interconnected processes as transitions qualify the dehospitalization process. Different strategies for continuity of care should be adopted, as they offer greater safety to the patient. Studies have shown that nurses play a fundamental role in transitions and, in Brazil, this activity still needs to gain more space. Reduced hospitalizations, mortality, hospital costs and patient satisfaction are benefits of transitions. Conclusion: care transition is an effective strategy for the care provided to the patient being discharged. It points out the need for integration between the care network and assists services in decision-making about the continuity of care on discharge.