Patient Readiness for Hospital Discharge

Abstract

Background: With the development of the "person-centered" model of nursing care, for a better understanding of patient self-reported Readiness for Hospital Discharge (RHD) the theme is being studied extensively by researchers and professionals around the world. Methods: Using search terms such as "readiness for hospital discharge", (RHD) we systematically searched the PubMed database for relevant articles on patients with RHD from 2019 to the present. Screening was performed strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and finally, the relevant literature was read and summarized. Results: A total of 8 articles met the criteria published between 2019 and 2022. The probability of being unprepared for discharge varied by disease type. Factors influencing patient RHD included demographic characteristics, psychological status, disease-related information, and hospital setting factors. Conclusions: Studies of RHD patients have been extensively developed in recent years. There is evidence to sustain that some patients leave the hospital unprepared, and in conditions that would require further attention of clinical staff. The issue may not be receiving the best required attention in what should be a priority of healthcare management and concern with impacts on the patients’ quality of life. Contribution to Evidence-Based Care: The article contributes to an update on how to identify patients with low RHD in the context of busy nursing workloads and make clear interventions, thus improving the efficiency of nursing care. In addition, according to the factors affecting patients' RHD, scientific discharge plans were constructed and used clinically to promote the application of nursing research results in nursing practice. Finally, the article sustains taht evidence-based nursing care can ensure better quality ofcare and contribute to the improvement of impacts on patients' quality of life.