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The Discharge Lounge: A Patient Flow Process Solution.

The Discharge Lounge: A Patient Flow Process Solution.

Authors :
Woods R
Sandoval R
Vermillion G
Bates-Jackson B
Nwankwo A
Canamar CP
Sarff L
Source :
Journal of nursing care quality [J Nurs Care Qual] 2020 Jul/Sep; Vol. 35 (3), pp. 240-244.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Background: Patient flow, from emergency department admission through to discharge, influences hospital overcrowding. We aimed to improve patient flow by increasing discharge lounge (DL) usage.<br />Local Problem: Patients need to receive a continuum of nursing care to encourage compliance with follow-up care after discharge from the acute care setting.<br />Methods: Baseline data revealed inefficient use of the DL. We targeted the medical-surgical unit with the lowest DL use and trialed interventions over sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.<br />Interventions: After surveying the nursing staff, we assessed the influence of 3 interventions on DL usage: educating staff on patient eligibility, engaging a recruitment scout, and displaying a visual cue notifying staff when a patient's discharge order was written.<br />Results: The unit's average DL use increased from 18% to 36%, while hospital overcrowding and discharge turnaround time decreased.<br />Conclusion: The DL is an effective tool to improve patient flow and decrease hospital overcrowding.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1550-5065
Volume :
35
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of nursing care quality
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32433147
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000469