Improving Transition of Care for Veterans After Total Joint Replacement. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Green, Uthona R.; Dearmon, Valorie; Taggart, Helen
• Is Part Of: Orthopedic nursing. Volume 34:Number 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Orthopedics -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Orthopedic Nursing -- Periodicals; 616.70231
• DOI: 10.1097/NOR.0000000000000124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-6020

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>BACKGROUND:</title> <p>Patients transitioning from hospital to home are at risk for readmission to the hospital. Readmissions are costly and occur too often. Standardized discharge education processes have shown to decrease readmissions.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>PURPOSE:</title> <p>The purpose of this quality improvement project was to utilize evidence-based practice changes to decrease 30-day all-cause readmissions after total joint replacement.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS:</title> <p>Review of literature revealed that improved discharge education can decrease unnecessary readmissions after discharge. A quality improvement project was developed including standardized total joint replacement discharge education, teach-back education methodology, and improved postdischarge telephone follow-up. The quality improvement project was initiated and outcomes were evaluated.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>OUTCOMES:</title> <p>Improving coordination of the discharge process, enhanced education for patients/caregivers, and postdischarge follow-up decreased total joint replacement readmissions.</p> </sec> </abstract>