Quality of Care Transition for COVID-19 Patients in a University Hospital in Southern Brazil

TL;DR

This study evaluated the quality of care transition for COVID-19 patients moving from hospital to home in Brazil, finding moderate overall quality with room for improvement.

Contribution

The study provides insights into care transition quality for post-hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a Brazilian university hospital setting.

Findings

The average care transition quality score was 70.8 out of 100, indicating moderate quality.

Patients scored highest in 'Preparation for self-management' and lowest in 'Care Plan'.

Improvements in communication and clarity of care plans are needed for better patient support.

Abstract

To assess the quality of care transition from hospital to home for COVID-19 patients.

A cross-sectional study conducted at a University Hospital in Southern Brazil, involving 78 patients discharged after COVID-19 hospitalization. Data collection was performed via telephone using the Brazilian version of the Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15). Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.

The mean quality of care transition was 70.8 on a scale ranging from zero to 100, indicating moderate quality of care transition. The highest score was attributed to factor 1, “Preparation for self-management,” and the lowest to factor 4, “Care Plan.”

It is important to enhance communication and support provided to patients during the transition process, especially regarding understanding prescribed medications and the development of clear care plans.

Avaliar a qualidade da transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio de pacientes com covid-19.

Estudo transversal, realizado em um Hospital Universitário no Sul do Brasil, com 78 pacientes que tiveram alta hospitalar após internação por covid-19. A coleta de dados foi realizada por telefone e utilizou a versão brasileira do Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15). Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e analítica.

A média da qualidade da transição do cuidado foi de 70,8, em uma escala que varia de zero a 100, indicando uma qualidade moderada da transição do cuidado. O maior escore foi atribuído ao fator 1, “Preparação para autogerenciamento”, e o menor ao fator 4, “Plano de cuidado”.

É importante aprimorar a comunicação e o suporte oferecidos aos pacientes durante o processo de transição, especialmente no que diz respeito à compreensão dos medicamentos prescritos e ao desenvolvimento de planos de cuidados claros.