Perceived discharge quality and associations with hospital readmissions and emergency department use: a prospective cohort study.

backgroundAt hospital discharge, care is handed over from providers to patients. Discharge encounters must prepare patients to self-manage their health, but have been found to be suboptimal. Our study objectives were to describe and determine the correlates of perceived discharge quality and to explore the association between perceived discharge quality and postdischarge outcomes.

methodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in medical inpatients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Calgary, Canada. Perceived discharge quality was measured by the Care Transitions Measure (CTM). Linkage to administrative databases provided data for the composite outcome-90-day hospital readmission or emergency department visit. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine the association between global CTM scores, and the individual CTM components, and the composite outcome.

resultsA total of 316 patients were included in the analysis. The median CTM score was 80.0 (IQR 66.6-100.0). The distribution of CTM scores were significantly different based on comorbidity burden, with the median and maximum CTM scores being lower and the IQR being narrower, for those with six or more comorbidities compared with those with fewer comorbidities. CTM scores were not associated with the composite outcome, though a single CTM item-not understanding warning signs and symptoms-was (adjusted OR 3.46 (95% CI 1.02 to 11.73)).

conclusionPerceived quality of discharge varies based on patient burden of comorbidities. While global perceived discharge quality was not associated with postdischarge outcomes, lack of patient understanding of warning symptoms was. Discharging healthcare teams should pay special attention to these priority patient groups and specific discharge process components.