Nursing
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/24
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Item Understanding the hospital discharge planning process for medical patients with dementia(Informa UK Limited, 2023-10-21) Duah-Owusu White, Mary; Kelly, Fiona; Vassallo, Michael; Nyman, Samuel R.Background: Poor hospital discharge processes can result in the readmission of patients and potentially increase the stress levels of carers. Therefore, this study sought to understand the factors related to the discharge planning process for patients with dementia. Methods: The researchers interviewed 32 carers of patients with dementia and 20 hospital staff who worked on medical wards in a United Kingdom (UK) hospital. The semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically using a systems theory (patient–carer–staff relationships, hospital equipment and policies). Results: The findings indicated that the following factors could either have a positive or negative impact on discharge planning: patient (e.g. cognitive capacity), carer (e.g. preconceived ideas about care homes), staff (e.g. communication skills), policy (e.g. procedures such as discharge meetings), equipment (e.g. type of service provider delivering the equipment) and the wider social context (e.g. availability of specialist dementia beds in care homes). Conclusion: It is important for hospital staff to adopt a systems perspective and to integrate the different elements of the hospital system when planning for patients’ discharge.Item Two factors that can increase the length of hospital stay of patients with dementia(Elsevier, 2022-12-02) Duah-Owusu White, Mary; Vassallo, Michael; Kelly, Fiona; Nyman, SamuelObjectives Patients with dementia are at greater risk of a long hospital stay and this is associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this service evaluation was to identify variables most predictive of increased length of hospital stay amongst patients with dementia. Methods/Design We conducted a retrospective analysis on a cross-sectional hospital dataset for the period January–December 2016. Excluding length of stay less than 24h and readmissions, the sample comprised of 1133 patients who had a dementia diagnosis on record. Results The highest incidence rate ratio for length of stay in the dementia sample was: (a) discharge to a care home (IRR: 2.443, 95% CI 1.778–3.357), (b) falls without harm (IRR: 2.486, 95% CI 2.029–3.045). Conclusions Based on this dataset, we conclude that improvements made to falls prevention strategies in hospitals and discharge planning procedures can help to reduce the length of stay for patients with dementia.