FIT for Discharge: A Frailty Intervention Team Patient Discharge Information Pack

Abstract Background Patients who do not have enough information about their discharge plan, have decreased treatment compliance, decreased patient safety, increased emergency department (ED) re-attendance, and poor satisfaction (DeSai et al. 2021). This project aimed to co-design a discharge information pack that is person centred, for patients referred to the frailty at the front door team. Methods The booklet was developed with a universal design approach and utilised NALA & HSE guidelines. The project was broken down into 3 key phases: In Phase 1, we set the outline of the project, delivered a patient questionnaire and hosted a stakeholder engagement event, which included acute and community Health and Social Care Professional (HSCP) colleagues, local Integrated Care team for Older Persons, local falls service, hospital managers, and patient advocates. An explorative questionnaire was distributed to patients and their family members in the ED, (n=25) to assess their priorities for the information pack. Phase 2 focused on developing the discharge pack content by the multidisciplinary team members. We aimed to provide standardised, evidence based information from each team member, aligned to Healthy Ireland Programmes; key information on living well in the community, positive ageing, and minding your mood, with the overarching aim of promoting patients’ independence at home. Finally, production and piloting of the discharge pack took place in Phase 3. Results We have successfully produced our discharge pack and currently piloting its use among our patient cohort (older adults >70) in our ED. The booklet provides tailored information from each FIT team member on patients’ discharge plan to support them at home, and takes a person centred, holistic approach of the patient’s individual needs. Conclusion We have received successful verbal feedback from patients following receiving the booklet. A pilot of this booklet is in progress, we plan to re-evaluate to complete the PDSA cycle.