Abstract

A STUDY OF DISCHARGE PROCESS WITH STRATEGY TO REDUCE THE TURN AROUND TIME IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma*, Dr. Nipul Kapadia, Mr. Sachin Raval, Mr. Sanket Shah, Mr. Amit Patel

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Abstract

Discharge patients from the hospital are a complex process that fraught with challenges. Discharge planning is the development of an individualized discharge plan for the patient prior to leaving the hospital, to ensure that patients are discharged at an appropriate time and with the provision of adequate post discharge services for patient satisfaction. The present study has been conducted on 100 admitted patients to understand the flow of discharge process. Various timings including discharge intimation time, billing submission time, pharmacy clearance time, final bill intimation time, final bill clearance time, final summary time, final summary time, handover time, and time taken for preparation of room for next patient was monitored to the actual time taken at each step from discharge intimation to the physical room vacancy. In results of study the maximum turnaround time is 08:00 hours was consumed between discharge intimation to handover to patient, and average 5:00 hours’ time has been taken between discharge intimation to room preparation for next patient. Objective:- The objective of study is to reduce the discharge turnaround time. To suggest measures to improve bed availability by reducing the discharge time. Methodology:- The data available in concerned areas are gathered on day to day basis for study include the discharge summaries on regular basis feedback from patient and staff of various departments and ward through pre tested question is obtained. The discharge process was observed for one week to find out the working pattern and the process in the inpatient services department and to identify the time delay by discussing with the staff of the department questionnaire method. Issue regarding patient discharge solved by using the method of meeting "WARD AS UNIT".

Keywords: Discharge planning, Discharge process, Discharge intimation, Turnaround time, Ward as unit, Issue and Solution of discharge planning.