Awareness of diagnosis and follow up care after discharge from the Emergency Department

Abstract

BackgroundPatients 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. MethodsA 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. ResultsThere 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. ConclusionA 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.