Implementation and Evaluation of a Unit-Based Discharge Coordinator to Improve the Patient Discharge Experience

Abstract

Hospitals are currently focusing on quality measure initiatives such as patient safety, satisfaction scores, and patient length of stay. Inefficient and ineffective discharge planning is often directly associated with long hospital stays and poor patient satisfaction with the overall discharge process. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative is to describe and address the implementation and evaluation of a unit-based discharge coordinator role on a general medicine pediatric unit at a tertiary care children's hospital. Improved outcomes, including an increase in patient satisfaction with the discharge process, decreased length of stay, and a decrease in patient safety net reports are demonstrated through implementation. A unit-based discharge coordinator can play an important part in enhancing the overall discharge experience for the patient and families by providing an effective and efficient approach to discharge, providing the patients and families with a feeling of preparedness.