Readiness for hospital discharge and its association with post-discharge outcomes among oesophageal cancer patients after oesophagectomy: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Aim: To examine the level and influencing factors of discharge readiness among patients with oesophageal cancer following oesophagectomy and to explore its association with post-discharge outcomes (post-discharge coping difficulty and unplanned readmission). Background: Oesophageal cancer is common and usually treated via oesophagectomy in China. The assessment of patient's discharge readiness gradually attracts attention as patients tend to be discharged more quickly. Design: Prospective observational study. The STROBE statement was followed. Methods: In total, 154 participants with oesophageal cancer after oesophagectomy were recruited in a tertiary cancer centre in Southern China from July 2019 to January 2020. The participants completed a demographic and disease-related questionnaire, the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale before discharge. Post-discharge outcomes were investigated on the 21st day (post-discharge coping difficulty) and 30th day (unplanned readmission) after discharge separately. Multiple linear regressions were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean scores of discharge readiness and quality of discharge teaching were (154.02 ± 31.58) and (138.20 ± 24.20) respectively. The quality of discharge teaching, self-care ability, dysphagia and primary caregiver mainly influenced patient's discharge readiness and explained 63.0% of the variance. The low discharge readiness could predict more risk of post-discharge coping difficulty (r = −0.729, p < 0.01) and unplanned readmission (t = −2.721, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Discharge readiness among patients with oesophageal cancer following oesophagectomy is influenced by various factors, especially the quality of discharge teaching. A high discharge readiness corresponds to good post-discharge outcomes. Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: Healthcare professionals should improve the discharge readiness by constructing high-quality discharge teaching, cultivating patients' self-care ability, mobilizing family participation and alleviating dysphagia to decrease adverse post-discharge outcomes among patients with oesophageal cancer. Patients or Public Contribution: Patients with oesophageal cancer after oesophagectomy who met the inclusion criteria were recruited.