Discharge planning and patient satisfaction in an emergency short-stay unit.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the adequacy of discharge planning from an emergency short-stay unit (ESSU), and patient knowledge of and satisfaction with the ESSU.

METHODS

Prospective follow up of patients discharged from an ESSU using patient surveys and a computerized patient information system, with descriptive and comparative data analysis.

RESULTS

Eighty-five per cent of respondents stated that they received adequate discharge instruction, and 89% that they benefited from their ESSU admission. However, 29% of patients made unscheduled visits to another medical practitioner post discharge and 9% were readmitted to hospital for the same problem with which they were discharged from the ESSU. Patient satisfaction with all aspects of care in the ESSU was high.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients discharged from an ESSU are provided with adequate discharge instruction, but a sizeable proportion require subsequent medical care for the same problem after discharge. Patient satisfaction with all aspects of care in an ESSU is high.