Review article

https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.27.2.3

Patient hospital discharge planning

Ružica Valent ; Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Kišpatićeva ulica 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ana Ljubas ; Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Kišpatićeva ulica 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Klaudia Knezić ; Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Kišpatićeva ulica 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Introduction: Patient discharge planning is an integral part of patient care. The discharge process begins immediately upon admission to the hospital for patients who are assessed as needing continuous care. The aim of this paper is to search available literature on patient discharge planning to emphasize the importance of discharge planning and to point out the security risks that may arise in this process.
Methods: In December 2021, a review of professional and scientific literature in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Hrčak was conducted. Legal documents related to health and social care and accreditation standards for hospitals were also reviewed.
Results: A review of the available literature shows that patient discharge planning affects the quality of continuous care, patient safety after hospital discharge, the satisfaction of patients and their families, readmission, and positively affects hospital length of stay.
Conclusion: With patient discharge planning, we are ensuring quality in the continuity of care, whether the patient is discharged home or care is provided in one of the health or social institutions. Precisely for this reason, patient discharge planning should be approached as an important healthcare method that directly affects patient safety and continuous care after hospital discharge.

Keywords

discharge planning; patient safety; continuity of care

Hrčak ID:

281172

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/281172

Publication date:

16.8.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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