STANDARDIZING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PROCESSES TO REDUCE 30-DAY READMISSIONS IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of hospital admissions and 30-day readmissions worldwide, often driven by inadequate discharge preparation and poor patient understanding of post-hospital care. Variability in discharge practices, including inconsistent patient education and follow-up planning, contributes significantly to adverse outcomes. This project aimed to address these gaps by implementing a standardized, evidence-based discharge process in a cardiology unit.

Methods and Materials: A quality improvement capstone project was conducted at S Hospital involving HF patients admitted to the cardiology unit. The intervention included the development and implementation of a standardized discharge toolkit consisting of a structured checklist, patient education materials, medication reconciliation templates, symptom-monitoring guides, and follow-up communication scripts. The project was executed in six phases: initial assessment, toolkit development, staff training, pilot implementation over six weeks, monitoring, and evaluation. Data were collected through chart audits, staff feedback surveys, and patient teach-back assessments.

Results: Implementation of the standardized discharge process resulted in significant improvements in discharge consistency and patient comprehension. Checklist adherence reached 87% by the end of the pilot period. Patients demonstrated improved understanding of medication regimens, dietary recommendations, and symptom recognition. Staff reported enhanced workflow efficiency and interdisciplinary coordination. Additionally, a 10% reduction in 30-day HF readmission rates was observed during the pilot phase.

Conclusion:The implementation of a standardized discharge workflow for HF patients significantly improved the quality and consistency of discharge education, patient self-management capacity, and early readmission outcomes. These findings support the adoption of structured, checklist-based discharge protocols as an effective strategy for improving transitional care. Future efforts should focus on long-term evaluation, integration into electronic health systems, and expansion to other high-risk patient populations.