Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to implement a criteria-led discharge programme at its Kate Evelyn Luard Ward.
The ward is an elective orthopaedic ward caring for patients from a range of age groups who require elective orthopaedic surgery and need to stay in hospital for up to three days.
With pressures on bed capacity and the need to increase patient flow through the hospital, criteria-led discharge is one way of improving this. Faster patient discharge will improve patient safety and the patient experience by reducing unnecessary length of stay in hospital.
Criteria-led discharge involves a multidisciplinary team (MDT) who undertake discharge using clinical criteria to guide it.
Healthcare assistant on KEL, Laura Hurst, said: “I anticipate that this will improve staff morale. Staff will be able to discharge patients when ready rather than having to wait unnecessarily.”
Sister Cresmarie Nerona, also from KEL, added: “I am looking forward to delivering more efficient care and being more autonomous in my practise.”
