Standardized Transitional Process in Adolescent Behavioral Health: Evidence-Based Practice Project

Hospital admissions and readmissions significantly impact the quality of care provided to adolescent psychiatric patients. This evidenced-based project aims to review a standardized transition process in support of reducing hospital readmissions. Nurse practitioners, nurse care managers, and social workers collaboratively collaborate with adolescent patients and their families admitted to inpatient behavioral health units to establish discharge plans. Establishing a standardized process for patients transitioning from the behavioral health unit addresses critical areas in the discharge process to ensure that the adolescent patient has the necessary tools for success. The project leader used the IDEAL Transition Strategy (ITS) developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in this evidence-based project as a guide to creating a standardized transition plan. This strategy aimed to educate and engage patients and their families in transition planning to improve patient outcomes, reduce unplanned readmissions, and increase overall patient satisfaction. To date, minimal research addresses the development of a standardized transition plan for adolescents aged 12-17 years in a behavioral health setting. This evidence-based project sought to standardize the process, reduce readmissions, and improve the quality of patient care.