Implementation of patient discharge management in a university hospital through action research.

Abstract

Objectives: to establish and implement a Hospital Discharge Management Committee in a university hospital, and to assess the group's perception of the committee's planning and implementation.

Methods: a qualitative study, conducted through action research. It took place in a university hospital in northeastern Brazil, over 12 months, following four phases: situational diagnosis; action planning; action implementation; and assessment.

Results: the committee was established and implemented in the hospital, with a collaboratively constructed work process. Instruments and workflows were developed, including eligibility criteria, patient recruitment and admission procedures, a readiness scale, as well as follow-up, discharge, and post-discharge workflows, structuring a model to support continuity of care.

Final considerations: the committee was implemented to monitor patients in the pilot unit. In the group's perception, there was an improvement in patient and caregiver monitoring, as well as a positive assessment of committee formation and methodology used, valuing each individual contribution.