Logo image
Kidney transplant length of stay: a data driven quality improvement project
Thesis   Open access

Kidney transplant length of stay: a data driven quality improvement project

Jennifer Chapokas
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
30 May 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/bdgq-sk43
pdf
Chapokas_Jennifer_2019334.58 kBDownloadView

Abstract

Nurse administrators Nurses--Supervision of Kidneys--Transplantation Hospital utilization--Length of stay
Kidney transplant has been deemed a cost-effective treatment for end-stage renal disease. Medicare is the primary payor for the kidney transplant diagnosis-related group and payment is based on a 5.5-day length of stay. Exceeding this designated length of stay leads to financial loss for organizations. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to provide a gap analysis between actual care provided and expected care during the discharge process of a kidney transplant recipient. The clinical nurse leader graduate student anticipated that identified gaps in expected care would drive evidence-based interventions that may reduce length of stay in this patient population. Since case management has a profound effect on the discharge process, the organizational case management policy Assessment and Discharge Planning for the Transplant Recipient was utilized as the foundational document for the gap analysis. Results of the gap analysis found that communication techniques may be a barrier to earlier discharge at this institution. An analysis of the data collected revealed that formal interprofessional discharge rounds are not being conducted and that communication to the outpatient transplant social worker is 30.7%. A literature review provided evidence that utilizing TeamSTEPPS to improve interprofessional communication during the discharge process could reduce kidney transplant hospitalization by 1-day. If the stakeholders at this academic hospital successfully improved communication during the discharge process via TeamSTEPPS, this change could potentially save the organization $60,000 annually.

Metrics

55 File views/ downloads
42 Record Views

Details

Logo image