Enhancing discharge planning

Central Coast Local Health District (LHD) is using BHI’s patient survey data to redesign discharge planning at Gosford Hospital, aimed at improving patients’ experiences, reducing length of stay and enhancing staff collaboration.

Central Coast’s local assessment of results from BHI’s Adult Admitted Patient Survey identified an opportunity for improvement.

The survey showed that 94% of Gosford Hospital patients in 2023 wanted to be involved in decisions about their discharge, but only 55% of patients said they ‘definitely’ felt involved.

Using this feedback from their own patients, Central Coast undertook a comprehensive investigative process of discharge planning at Gosford Hospital through:

• interviews with patients, including Aboriginal patients
• input from consumer representatives and Gosford Hospital patients
• staff workshops and local surveys to further understand barriers to effective discharge planning and opportunities for change.

This led to the development of a new discharge planning process, delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including:

• a clear communication process to keep patients and families informed and involved in decisions
• improved access to patient information for after-hours staff via the electronic patient journey board system.

By triangulating BHI data with hospital datasets and qualitative feedback, Central Coast designed feasible, patient-centred solutions. Central Coast aims to improve patients’ experiences, reduce length of stay and enhance staff collaboration across adult inpatient wards.

The project is currently in the implementation phase and the outcome will be measured by looking at future BHI patient survey data.

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