Assessing Discharge Readiness and Factors in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Carriers with Malignant Tumors: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the readiness for discharge of patients with malignancy when carrying a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) as well as to explore the associated factors affecting readiness for discharge.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang and VIP databases from inception to Mar 2024 were systematically searched to collect relevant cross-sectional studies. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used for effect size synthesis, and the stability of the results was assessed by heterogeneity testing, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias detection.

RESULTS

Eight cross-sectional studies comprising 748 participants were included, and the mean score for patients' readiness to discharge was 146.98 (95% CI: 127.17, 166.79) under a random-effects model, but the analysis showed a very high degree of heterogeneity (I=100%, <0.01). In our in-depth analysis of factors influencing discharge readiness, we found that literacy level (OR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.59) and income level (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.78) were significantly associated with better readiness for discharge, and that age had a non-significant effect on readiness for discharge, with a combined effect size (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.08).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with malignant tumours, self-efficacy, distance from home to the hospital, and income level have a significant impact on discharge readiness in their PICC carriers. Optimising discharge instructions and patient education strategies for these factors may improve patients' readiness for discharge, reduce the risk of PICC-related complications, and improve outcomes.