Comparison of Older Urologic Patients\u27 Perceptions and Nurses\u27 Assessments of Discharge Readiness

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore older urological patients’ perceptions and clinical nurses’ assessments of discharge readiness. In addition, this study examined the difference among older urological patients’ perceptions and clinical nurses’ assessments of discharge readiness. Design: A descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional design was used. Methods: Convenience samples of older urological patients and clinical nurses were recruited from three surgical units. Data were collected using The Patient Readiness for Hospital Discharge and Nurse Readiness for Hospital Discharge questionnaires. Results: Patients perceived low total discharge and personal status readiness for discharge. This was in contrast to 93.9% of patients stating that they were ready for discharge on a single item question, “Are you ready for discharge today?” Nurses (93.9%) perceived that their patients were ready for discharge, although nurses assessed low total discharge and personal status readiness of their patients. However, both patients and nurses indicated moderate levels of knowledge, coping ability, and expected support readiness. Conclusion: Patients perceived and nurses assessed a low total discharge and personal status readiness for discharge. Although both groups indicated patients were ready for discharge on a single readiness for discharge question. This difference could be due to short hospital stays, lack of time for clinical nurses to adequately assess patients’ current and discharge needs, lack of patients’ understanding of what is needed for post hospitalization, and lack of care coordination for 23-hour admitted patients