Discharge Prospectus

Background and Purpose: The goals of the project are to improve the efficiency of the discharge process, to increase bed availability, to decrease readmission rates, and to increase patient satisfaction through implementation of multidisciplinary huddles. Methods: The intervention of the huddle took place on a medical-surgical unit at UC Davis Medical Center in the local Sacramento area serving various Medical Services. This was a prospective pre- and post-quality intervention by utilizing HCAPHS survey, electronic medical record, RN surveys, and discharge data collection. Results: Discharges were increased from 15% to 23%. Currently, data is up-to-date for nine months but the project rolls until January 2017. Patient satisfaction scores increased by 3%. Re-admission results were essentially unchanged in comparison to the national average. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary huddles should continue to be used to assist in optimizing the efficiency of discharges, assisting in transition of care for patients, to help increase communication across team members, and to help increase patient satisfaction