Journal article
Contextual Factors Influencing Intensive Care Patients’ Discharge Processes: A Multicentre Prospective Observational Study
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol.34(8), pp.3307-3315
2025
PMID: 39449180
Abstract
Aims
To compare contextual factors influencing discharge practices in three intensive care units (ICUs).
Design
A prospective observational study.
Methods
Data were collected using a discharge process report form (DPRF) between May and September 2023. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyse demographic and clinical data. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the time interval differences among the three sites.
Results
Overall, 69 patients' discharge processes were observed. Among them, 41 (59%) experienced discharge delay, and 1 in 5 patients experienced after-hours discharge. There were statistically significant differences in mean hours in various time intervals during the discharge processes among the three sites. Patients in Hospital C waited the longest time (mean = 31.9 h) for the ward bed to be ready after the bed was requested and for being eventually discharged after ICU nurses to get them ready for discharge (mean = 26.7 h) compared to Hospital A and Hospital B.
Conclusions
We found that discharge delay and after-hours discharge were common and there were significant differences in mean hours of various time intervals during the discharge processes occurred among the three sites. The influence of contextual factors in different hospitals/ICU needs to be considered to improve the ICU discharge process.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care
Researchers and clinicians should consider targeted context-specific interventions and strategies to optimise patient discharge process from ICUs.
Impact
The study findings will inform the development of tailored interventions to reduce the discharge delay and after-hours discharge and, in turn, improve the quality and safety of patient care and health service efficiency.
Reporting Method
The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Patient or Public Contribution
Patients' discharge processes were observed, and consumer representatives were involved in the study design.
Details
- Title
- Contextual Factors Influencing Intensive Care Patients’ Discharge Processes: A Multicentre Prospective Observational Study
- Authors
- Frances Fengzhi Lin (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingJacqueline Peet - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingLauren Murray - Sunshine Coast University HospitalHuahua Yin - Flinders UniversityMahesh Ramanan - Caboolture Hospital (Australia)Kylie Jacobs - Redcliffe HospitalJane Brailsford - Sunshine Coast University HospitalAmelia Osmond - Caboolture Hospital (Australia)Moreblessing Kajevu - Sunshine Coast University HospitalRoslyn Prichard - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingPeter Garrett - Sunshine Coast University HospitalAlexis Tabah - Redcliffe HospitalCarol Mock - Sunshine Coast University HospitalAhmed Mehdi - Queensland Cyber Infrastructure FoundationYingyan Chen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nursing
- Publication details
- Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol.34(8), pp.3307-3315
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/jocn.17515
- ISSN
- 1365-2702
- PMID
- 39449180
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- Grants
- Exploring the barriers and facilitators to patient discharge processes in regional intensive care units, and interventions to reduce discharge delays and after-hours discharge, 0980027766, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991068430402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
31 Record Views