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Enhancing Discharge Transitions At Gifford Health Care, Megan L. O'Brien

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Enhancing Discharge Transitions at Gifford Health Care

Megan L. O’Brien, MS, FNP-BC, APRN

Purpose. During transitions of hospital discharge, errors and lack of education pose risks to patients resulting in dissatisfaction with hospital care, poorly attended follow-up appointments, and readmissions. Discharge planning that encompasses patient centered, multidisciplinary principles have been proven to reduce health care costs while increasing satisfaction among patients and staff. At Gifford Health Care in Randolph, Vermont, hospital readmission rates were below the national average of 15.9%, but the patient satisfaction scores were lower than state and national averages. To improve discharge transitions, this project utilized the …