Annotated Bibliography and Summary: Addressing Hospital Readmissions

Healthcare Problem/Issue: Hospital readmissions are a significant concern in the healthcare system, leading to increased costs, patient burden, and potential for complications.

Professional Relevance: As a nurse, understanding best practices for reducing hospital readmissions is crucial to improve patient outcomes and ensure quality care transitions. By implementing evidence-based strategies, nurses can play a key role in promoting patient self-management and reducing the risk of preventable readmissions.

Professional Experience: During my clinical rotations, I witnessed the challenges patients face after discharge, sometimes leading to readmissions. This experience highlights the importance of comprehensive discharge planning and patient education to ensure a smooth transition to home care.

Search Criteria:

• Databases: CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Academic OneFile
• Keywords: “hospital readmissions,” “readmission reduction strategies,” “patient education for discharge,” “post-discharge care management”

Selected Articles:

1. Title:“Impact of a Transitional Care Intervention on 30-Day Hospital Readmissions for Older Adults” (2021)

• Authors:Jones, D.S., Zheng, Y., & He, W.
• Source:Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(1), 142-150. [Peer-reviewed, current]
• Summary:This study evaluates a transitional care intervention for older adults, including medication reconciliation, patient education, and post-discharge follow-up calls. The study found a significant reduction in 30-day readmission rates for the intervention group. (RELEVANCE: Supports the importance of comprehensive discharge planning and patient education for older adults)

2. Title:“The Role of Nurse Home Visits in Reducing Hospital Readmissions: A Meta-Analysis” (2022)

• Authors:Liu, X., Zhang, Y., & Wang, Y.
• Source:Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(13-14), 2922-2933. [Peer-reviewed, current]
• Summary:This meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of post-discharge nurse home visits in reducing readmissions. The analysis found that home visits by nurses were associated with a significant decrease in readmission rates across various patient populations. (RELEVANCE: Highlights the value of post-discharge follow-up by nurses to identify and address potential issues early)

3. Title:“Telehealth Interventions to Reduce Hospital Readmissions: A Systematic Review” (2020)

• Authors:Sun, X., Xie, H., & Tang, X.
• Source:JMIR Medical Informatics, 8(2), e14232. [Peer-reviewed, current]
• Summary:This systematic review analyzes the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in preventing hospital readmissions. The review found that telehealth interventions, including remote monitoring and patient education, can be effective in reducing readmissions for specific patient populations. (RELEVANCE: Demonstrates the potential of telehealth as a tool for remote patient monitoring and support)

4. Title:“Patient Activation and Hospital Readmissions: A Meta-Analysis” (2023)

• Authors:Martin, S.W., & Kelly, M.T.
• Source:Journal of Hospital Medicine, 18(3), 280-288. [Peer-reviewed, current]
• Summary:This meta-analysis explores the relationship between patient activation (involvement in self-care) and hospital readmissions. The study found that higher levels of patient activation were associated with a lower risk of readmission. (RELEVANCE: Emphasizes the importance of empowering patients to manage their health and participate actively in their care plan)

Summary:

Hospital readmissions pose a complex challenge in the healthcare system. The research suggests that several evidence-based strategies can be implemented to address this issue. These include comprehensive discharge planning with patient education, post-discharge follow-up by nurses (in-person or via telehealth), and promoting patient activation through self-management strategies. By adopting these best practices, nurses can contribute significantly to improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of hospital readmissions.