Improving Discharge Summaries on Vincent Square Eating Disorders Unit
William WaughAims:
Discharge summaries (aka electronic discharge notifications, eDNFs) are a vital part of care, ensuring clear and timely communication between services and allowing for an accurate record of care to be maintained. If eDNFs are not completed in a timely fashion, or not completed at all, service users struggle to access follow-up care, repeat prescriptions and referrals to other services. In mid 2024, on Vincent Square Eating Disorders Unit (VSEDS), eDNFs were not being completed in a timely manner – many were not completed at all. From May 2024 to August 2024, of 15 patients discharged:
5 had an eDNF completed at time of discharge (33.3%). 3 had an eDNF completed late (20%). 7 did not have an eDNF completed at all (46.7%).
Our aim: 70% of patients discharged from VSEDS will have an eDNF completed within 24 hours
Methods:
This project ran from mid 2024 to early 2025. We implemented 4 PDSA cycles, which included:
PDSA 1: weekly scheduled meetings between ward doctors and pharmacists.
PDSA 2: discharge medications prescribed and email sent to pharmacy at time that decision to discharge is made.
PDSA 3: attempted implementation of protected time for ward doctors to complete eDNFs (unsuccessful).
PDSA4: On Wednesday mornings pharmacy notified of all potential discharges; all discharge medications prescribed at this time.
Our QI project included input from a number of Experts by Experience, service users who have had previous experience of discharge from VSEDS. They emphasized the importance of a timely, clear and concise eDNF and spoke about the impact on their ongoing care and wellbeing. Some of their feedback is represented in our poster.
Results:
From November 2024 to February 2025:
14 patients were discharged from the ward. All of these patients had a discharge summary completed within 72 hours of discharge. 12 of these patients (85.7%) had a discharge summary completed within 24 hours of discharge.