Transitional care from hospital to home for older people: implementation of best practices

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to assess the conformity of nursing care concerning best evidence in transitional care from hospital to home for older people. METHODS: a project to implement best evidence based on the model proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute in surgical clinic of a university hospital with older people, caregivers or family members, and nurses, between July and August 2019. Eight evidence-based criteria have been audited through interviews, medical records and computerized system, presented in percentages. RESULTS: the highest non-compliance rate found in a baseline audit was absence of continued training on transitional care and hospital discharge plan. Identifying barriers to best practices included educational programs; afterwards, there was an improvement in compliance rates in all the criteria assessed. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the criteria based on audited evidence showed an increase in compliance rates with the strategies implemented, contributing to improving transitional care for older people.