Patient experience of hospital discharge

Healthwatch Dudley undertook research on patient experiences of hospital discharge from Russells Hall Hospital. They received 85 completed questionnaires from patients discharged during a one-week period in 2014. Most patients reported understanding why they were in hospital and what treatment they had received, and overall satisfaction with care was high. 

Patients were generally positive about the discharge process, with most feeling listened to, involved in decisions and treated with dignity and respect. Most also felt ready to leave hospital and were satisfied with arrangements for their transfer home or elsewhere. However, a minority reported concerns about communication, feeling insufficiently involved in decisions about their care, and a lack of family involvement in discharge planning where this was appropriate.

The most common practical concern related to delays in receiving discharge medication from the hospital pharmacy, with some patients waiting several hours before they could leave hospital. Other concerns included delays in discharge planning, confusion about care plans, poor communication between services and uncertainty about ongoing support after discharge. Some patients also reported concerns about access to therapies, equipment, medical care and help at home once they had left hospital. 

Healthwatch Dudley concluded that most patients had positive experiences of discharge, but that improvements were needed in communication, patient and family involvement, discharge planning and coordination between health and social care services. The report highlighted the importance of ensuring patients feel informed, listened to and supported, both before leaving hospital and during their recovery at home.