Discharge planning for the patient with chronic pancreatitis.
For patients with chronic pancreatitis, there are many ramifications of failing to plan for the patient's discharge appropriately. The chronicity of the disease often makes discharge planning more complex. In addition, patient needs may include complicated home regimens, psychosocial interventions, or both. Patients with chronic pancreatitis have disease-specific needs and issues that should be assessed to implement an appropriate plan. Resources need to be identified, implemented, and evaluated to ensure positive outcomes, adequate patient satisfaction, and lower readmission rates. This article presents the impact of chronic pancreatitis on the healthcare system, recommendations for appropriate discharge planning for this population, and a case study demonstrating the discharge planning process for a patient with chronic pancreatitis.
Shannon Bright Smith, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CGRN, is Faculty in Accelerated BSN and DNP Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. She is also part-time faculty at University of Phoenix Online RN-BSN Program.
Shannon Bright
SB
Smith
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards