Developing and testing a discharge planning decision support tool for hospitalized pediatric patients

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2014 Apr;19(2):149-61. doi: 10.1111/jspn.12064. Epub 2014 Feb 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To develop and test a decision support tool that identifies patients who would benefit from early consult with discharge planners.

Design and methods: A predictive, correlational design was used with parents/guardians of children (1 month to 18 years; N = 197). Data were collected by interviews and record reviews. Expert consensus determined referral to discharge planning.

Results: Mean age was 8.7 years; mean length of stay was 7.5 days. Forty percent (n = 79) were identified for early referral. The variable "substantial post-acute care needs" had the strongest association with expert consensus (internally validated AUC = 0.79).

Practice implications: Findings from this study provide preliminary evidence for a decision support tool to improve the discharge planning process by reducing individual decision-making variability through systematic matching of patient needs to service delivery.

Keywords: Decision support; discharge planning; pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Pediatric
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Length of Stay*
  • Male
  • Midwestern United States
  • Patient Discharge*
  • Patient-Centered Care / methods
  • Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration*
  • Pediatrics / methods
  • Pediatrics / organization & administration*
  • Planning Techniques
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • United States