Purpose The purpose of this study was to implement discharge planning for patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) and evaluate the effects on length of stay (LOS), hospital readmission, discharge readiness, self-efficacy, and quality of life (QoL).

Methods Participants (n =72) were assigned to a control group (CG: received usual care) or an intervention group (IG: received discharge planning from admission to 100 days after UCBT). LOS and the rate of hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge were collected. Discharge readiness was measured by the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale, self-efficacy and QoL were assessed at 100 days after UCBT using General Self-Efficacy Scale and FACT-BMT version 4.

Results Sixty-six patients completed the study, the IG group showed significantly better discharge readiness (p<0.05), improvement in self-efficacy (p<0.001). Except for social and emotional well-being, all the other dimensions and three total scores of FACT-BMT in the IG were higher than the controls (p<0.05). The LOS was less in the IG (50.12±8.80 vs. 53.28±11.28, p=0.207), the rate of hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge was lower (20.59% vs. 31.25%, p=0.376), however, the differences were not significant.

Conclusion This study provided the evidences on the implementation of discharge planning for patients undergoing UCBT, and suggested that nurse-led discharge planning should be incorporated into usual care for successful hospital-to-home transitions.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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2023
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