Date of Graduation

Fall 12-15-2017

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Dr. Mary Lou De Natale

Second Advisor

Robin Jackson

Abstract

Abstract

The project focuses on the improvement of the discharge planning for patient’s safe and timely discharge in the medical oncology and telemetry unit at the county hospital. The facility has 54-bed capacity with an average daily census of 35 to 40 specializing in cancer, end-stage diseases, cardiac issues, HIV/AIDS, sepsis, palliative and comfort care, diabetes, respiratory diseases, psychiatric and placement patients. The unit has no discharge coordinator. Nurses are responsible for the quality and safe discharge of patients. These nurses experience frustrations due to fragmented system of the discharge process, nurses’ heavy workload, and prioritizing patients with higher acuity. Thus, delayed releases occur. The global aim is to improve the discharge process at the end of December 2017. The specific aims are to increase the number of actual discharges by 2 pm from 40 to 60%, increase the patient’s survey describing the discharge process as excellent from 30 to 50% and reduce the readmission rate from 25% to 5%.

The patient’s safety and quality of care and satisfaction lead the way towards improvement through staff engagement and other disciplines collaboration and communication. The CNL competencies of a leader, educator, and risk anticipator were utilized. The CNL supported the staff through education and training of the standard discharge planning checklist and multidisciplinary rounds conferences.

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