A Development of Discharge Planning in Congestive Heart Failure Patients at Vibhavadi Hospital

Abstract

This experimental development research aimed to develop a new working model of discharge planning in congestive heart failure patients in coronary care unit (CCU) at Vibhavadi Hospital using the existing resources. The samples consisted of 2 groups; one group was the discharge planning activities in an experimental area (17 times) and a control area (13 times), another group was person regarding discharge planning in congestive heart failure patients included administrators, service providers, and clients. The research instruments included a new working model of discharge planning in congestive heart failure patients, four recording forms, one check-list form, and three questionnaires. The implementation and data collection were conducted from 1st June to 31th October, 2014. Content analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for data analysis.

The research results revealed that 1) the new working model of discharge planning in congestive heart failure patients has been developed by applying relevant academic concepts and principles; and 2) after model implementation, an experimental area had statistically significant better working results than before model implementation:- the average working quantity increased (p < .01), the accuracy of working performance increased (p < .001), the average service time decreased (p < .001), the average workforce consumed decreased (p < .01), the service providers’ satisfaction increased (p < .01), and unit cost decreased (p < .001).

This research suggests that the health care providers in the coronary care unit should implement this model in congestive heart failure patients in order to ensure that appropriate post-discharges are in place in an effective manner. Furthermore, the nurse administrators should encourage this discharge planning as a guideline to effective hospital discharge in other chronic illness patients.