The bare minimum of information at discharge after acute coronary syndrome. Part 1: Factors that affect communication

Abstract

Hospital discharge after an Acute Coronary Syndrome represents a potential pitfall for patients. Strict adherence to discharge instructions is sometimes essential for recovery and prevention of complications and patients' knowledge of diagnosis and treatment plan is an integral component of patient education. Discharge communication is an integral part of high-quality, patient-centered care but patients leaving hospital often fail to understand important elements of their discharge and home care plan. This paper describes the existing literature on patient understanding and implementation of discharge instructions, discusses previous interventions aimed at improving the discharge process, and recommends best practices.