The Needs of Elderly Patient Occurring Unplanned ED Revisit in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

Han, Chin-Yen

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Chin-Yen Han, PhD
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Chun-Chih Lin, PhD
Department of Nursing, MeiHo University, Taiwan, ROC, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan
Li-Chin Chen, RN, BS, NM
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, ROC, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Wen Chang, RN, BS, NM
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to understand the needs of the elderly patient occuring unplanned revisits to the ED.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to hep to decrease the elderly patients unplanned revisits to the ED.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients are one of the groups who have highly medical demanding and spend high cost of medical services. When the discharge needs of elderly patients cannot be met, it could result in a revisit to the ED, readmission to the hospital, or even death. Therefore, it is critical to understand the needs of elderly patients during unplanned returns to the ED, so that continuity of care will be ensured.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the needs of elderly patients who experience unplanned revisits to the ED

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: This qualitative study was undertaken in an ED in Taiwan. Twenty patients were recruited for the study. Semi-structured interviews were audio taped and later transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to analyse the interview data gathered through the study.

RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrate that the categories of description of the needs of elderly patients’ with unplanned revisits to the ED includes (1) preparation to go home, (2) ED discharge planning, (3) follow-up arrangements after returning home, and (4) psychological and spiritual care.

CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study contribute to identifying the needs of elderly patients who experience unplanned returns to the ED. The results of this study are important evidence for ED nurses as they provide discharge planning. If elderly patients receive effective discharge planning, this could meet their needs, ensure continuity of care, decrease the unplanned return rate to the ED, and improve the quality of care in the ED.

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