BACKGROUND: To investigate the readiness for hospital discharge of patients discharged with tubes from the department of hepatobiliary surgery and to explore the influencing factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for the 161 patients with tubes who were discharged from the department of hepatobiliary surgery of Shaoxing Second Hospital by using the modified Chinese version of Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). General data of the patients, such as gender, age, BMI (body mass index), and educational level, were collected. RESULTS: According to the statistical results, the total score of the RHDS was 142.40 ± 23.98, and that of the QDTS was 148.14 ± 17.74. Multiple linear step-wise regression analysis revealed that the total score of the QDTS, residence and educational level were the independent influencing factors of the readiness for hospital discharge (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of the readiness for hospital discharge of the 161 discharged patients with tubes from the department of hepatobiliary surgery was in the middle and lower level. For the patients who are far away from the hospital and have a low education level, we should pay more attention to health education and discharge teaching, so as to improve the readiness for hospital discharge of relatively vulnerable patients, reduce the incidence of adverse events after discharge with tubes, and ensure the health and safety of patients.