An article from Hospitalist Management Advisor argues that by improving the discharge process, hospitals can increase patient satisfaction. Though it's commonly believed that patients don't like short hospital stays because they feel as though they're being hurried out before they're ready, a Press Ganey survey has found that patients with shorter stays are more satisfied with their experience than those with longer hospital visits. The study identifies four areas that contribute to patient satisfaction with the discharge process:
- Patient readiness to leave the hospital
- An efficient, swift patient discharge process
- Clear instruction for care after discharge
- Coordination of arrangements following discharge so that the patient has all the support and equipment necessary.
For more on patient satisfaction with the discharge process:
- read this article from Hospitalist Management Advisor