Discharge planning sections at hospitals in the Tokyo metropolitan area

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  • Okura Miki
    Keio University Hospital, Medical network division Tokyo discharge nurse network
  • Ishihara Yukie
    Tokyo discharge nurse network Showa University Hospital, Consultation and support center
  • Yamauchi Masae
    Tokyo discharge nurse network Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Medical network center
  • Abe Setsumi
    Tokyo discharge nurse network Nippon Medical School Hospital, Patient support center

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  • 東京都内の病院の退院調整部署に関する調査
  • トウキョウ トナイ ノ ビョウイン ノ タイイン チョウセイ ブショ ニ カンスル チョウサ

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Abstract

<p>We carried out a questionnaire survey to investigate the actual conditions of discharge planning sections, discharge nurses, and discharge supervisors in the Tokyo metropolitan area.</p><p>Among responding hospitals, 84%, or 70 hospitals had a discharge planning section, 96% had Medical Social Workers (MSWs), 56% had discharge nurses, and 27% had administrative positions. The results show that the number of nurses placed in acute hospitals is increasing, and that in recent years, the need for discharge nurses, who can get involved in both, treatment and lifestyle assessments, has been projected to increase, especially in acute hospitals. Additionally, this study found that within the duties related to discharge plans, ‘Interviews for decision-making support’ between discharge nurses and MSWs are frequently carried out. More and more nurses are involved with treatment, while more MSWs are involved with an efficient utilization of the system and assisting with transfers. While MSWs are more likely to assist with transfers, discharge nurses are more likely to carry out home support. However, this study does not show statistically significant differences in data relating to home support. The authors believe that the reason is that discharge nurses and MSWs are directly cooperating with each other on that issue.</p><p>As a result of this study, we suggest the following three improvements for discharge nurses positions：1) introduction of discharge planning system：building a cooperation network to link the in-house system with multiple specialists outside the hospital in order to increase multiple in-house specialists；2) training of in-house staff；and 3) further development of the required skills of nurses assisting with discharging, including decision-making support skills. </p>

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