PATIENT CARE

An organization-wide initiative focused on length of stay (LOS) and optimal discharge is a primary focus for the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care. Interprofessional team members working on the adult medical surgical cardiology and medicalsurgical oncology units redesigned the discharge huddle to ensure discharge planning starts at the time of admission. Specific components include understanding each patient’s expected LOS versus actual LOS; communicating proactively about the plan of care, including expected discharge time to assure transportation arrangements are in place to meet the discharge by 11a.m. goal; and identifying barriers that may prevent a timely discharge.