Developing and evaluating nurse led discharge in acute medicine

Abstract

Aims: To develop and evaluate nurse-led discharge criteria for a clinical decision unit in a large NHS Foundation Trust Method: Criteria for nurse led discharge were developed for patients presenting to hospital via the emergency department with chest pain, headache and deliberate self poisoning. Data on length of stay on CDU and readmission were collected for these patient groups during a 2 month period, during which the nurse-led criteria were introduced. Following introduction of the criteria a survey was conducted to evaluate staff opinions of the new system. Results: A trend towards reduced length of stay was noted during the month after introduction of nurse-led discharge (18.26hrs vs 20 hours p=0.582). Our staff survey indicated that the process was popular and has been continued since the study period. Conclusion: Nurse-led discharge using defined criteria is feasible and popular with staff in an acute medical setting.