DescriptionPurpose of Project: The purpose of this project was to assess the association between discharge phone calls and reduced 30-day readmission rates in post-operative cardiac surgery patients.
Methodology: The pilot project design used a retrospective chart review. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze demographic data, and chi-square analysis and Fisher exact test were used to compare data between patients who received and did not receive discharge phone calls.
Results: The results of the study indicated that there is no association between discharge phone calls and 30-day readmission rates. The chi-square value was not significant, χ2 (1, N = 80) = 0.59, p = .44. Fisher’s exact test was also used to provide additional verification. That probability was also not significant (p = 1.00).
Implications for Practice: This project has a policy implication in inpatient and outpatient institutions. Through discharge phone calls, patients are given the opportunity to be in charge of their health, and health care providers are able to reinforce education and provide support to the patients. This study, which proposes evidence-based practice, is based on the aims initiated by the Institute of Medicine for the healthcare system: “safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable” (AHRQ, 2018). As such, this study emphasizes the importance of implementation of strategic ways to improve quality of care to patients.