Variables impacting on patients’ perceptions of discharge from short-stay hospitalisation or same-day surgery

Abstract

The paper presents components of a study (n = 929) that was designed to examine, at one specific point in time, the hospital experience of the patient and the patient's corresponding recovery at home. Variables that captured the hospitalization and recovery experience relate to the degree of patient involvement in decisions about their treatment and discharge plans. Levels of health and recovery-related information reported by patients and their level of confidence in ability to resume regular activities once home were also measured. In general, individuals reported what many would consider having received less than optimal levels of information about their illness and recovery at home. Many patients also reported that they neither participated, nor were consulted on their needs or perceptions during their hospitalization. Expectations were that problems that patients might experience once home would have their origins in problems from within the community. However, the community resources were found to be less implicated and hospital resources more so. This suggests the importance of examining institutional issues even when one is focusing on the delivery of community services.

Discharging older people from hospital to home: what do we know?

“…Variables impacting on patients' perceptions of hospital discharge from short-stay hospitalization were investigated by Rowe et al (2000), in a longitudinal survey of patients in three tertiary and two community hospitals in Canada. The researchers tracked and monitored discharge outcomes over a period of time, gathering data from 400 patients aged 55 years and over.…”

“…A number of research instruments were used, including the SF12 (Quality of Life questionnaire), a functional autonomy measure and a personal evaluation scale, which addressed involvement in decision making. Rowe et al (2000) particularly identified gaps in communication as problematic, finding that 40% of patients in short stay and 63% of patients in day surgery were not consulted about their discharge or given any specific information regarding their aftercare. Older people's experiences of getting help with activities of daily living at home following hospitalization were explored in a qualitative study by Roe et al (2001).…”

“…Variables impacting on patients’ perceptions of hospital discharge from short‐stay hospitalization were investigated by Rowe et al. (2000), in a longitudinal survey of patients in three tertiary and two community hospitals in Canada.…”

Home recovery following day surgery: a patient perspective

“…In a study comparing experiences of 437 short‐stay inpatients (one or two days in hospital) with 492 day surgery patients, Rowe et al . () established day surgery patients to be better informed than the short‐stay inpatients. However, both short‐stay inpatients and day surgery patients experienced pain for three days following surgery with both groups not expecting the pain to be as bad or knowing what to do about it.…”

“…Prewett et al (2008) suggested patients reporting dissatisfaction with pain management once home must have received inadequate analgesia, were noncompliant with their medication or were poorly informed as to what level of pain is 'normal'. In a study comparing experiences of 437 short-stay inpatients (one or two days in hospital) with 492 day surgery patients, Rowe et al (2000) established day surgery patients to be better informed than the short-stay inpatients. However, both short-stay inpatients and day surgery patients experienced pain for three days following surgery with both groups not expecting the pain to be as bad or knowing what to do about it.…”