title: Improving patient flow: role of the orthopaedic discharge sister.
abstract: Timely and well-planned discharge improves the patient's experience, contributes to patient safety and reduces the length of hospital stays. The role of orthopaedic discharge sister was developed at James Cook University Hospital in 2007 to provide safe, timely and efficient discharge for patients from the trauma and theatre centre, and to improve patient experience and flow. This article gives an overview of the role and describes how the sister works with colleagues to plan patient discharges from pre-assessment and emergency department admission through their hospital stay until their departure.
authors.affiliation: James Cook University Hospital, part of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tytler
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*
keywords: communication; delayed discharge; discharge planning; emergency care; length of stay; patient experience; patient journey; safe discharge; timely discharge