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CARE TRANSTION IN HOSPITAL DISCHARGE FOR ADULT PATIENTS: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

TRANSICIÓN DE LA ATENCIÓN EN EL ALTA HOSPITALARIA PARA PACIENTES ADULTOS: REVISIÓN INTEGRATIVA DE LA LITERATURA

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to summarize and analyze the scientific production on care transition in the hospital discharge of adult patients.

Method:

integrative review, conducted from May to July 2020, in four relevant databases in the health area: Public Medline (PubMed); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); Scopus and Virtual Health Library (VHL). The analysis of the results occurred descriptively and was organized into thematic categories that emerged according to the similarity of the contents extracted from the articles.

Results:

46 articles from national and international journals, with a predominance of descriptive/non-experimental studies or qualitative studies, met the inclusion criteria. Five categories were identified: discharge and post-discharge process; Continuity of post-discharge care; Benefits of care transition; Role of nurses in care transition and Experiences of patients on care transition. Hospital discharge and care transitions are interconnected processes as transitions qualify the dehospitalization process. Different strategies for continuity of care should be adopted, as they offer greater safety to the patient. Studies have shown that nurses play a fundamental role in transitions and, in Brazil, this activity still needs to gain more space. Reduced hospitalizations, mortality, hospital costs and patient satisfaction are benefits of transitions.

Conclusion:

care transition is an effective strategy for the care provided to the patient being discharged. It points out the need for integration between the care network and assists services in decision-making about the continuity of care on discharge.

DESCRIPTORS:
Care Transition; Discharge from the patient; Continuity of patient care; Health management; Nursing

RESUMEN

Objetivo:

sintetizar y analizar la producción científica sobre la transición de la atención al alta hospitalaria del paciente adulto.

Método:

una revisión integradora, realizada de mayo a julio de 2020, en cuatro bases de datos relevantes en el área de la salud: Public Medline (PubMed); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); Scopus y Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS). El análisis de los resultados fue descriptivo y organizado en categorías temáticas que surgieron de acuerdo a la similitud de los contenidos extraídos de los artículos.

Resultados:

46 artículos de revistas nacionales e internacionales cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, con predominio de estudios descriptivos / no experimentales o con abordaje cualitativo. Se identificaron cinco categorías: Proceso de alta hospitalaria y posterior al alta; Continuidad de la atención posterior al alta; Beneficios de la transición de la atención״; El papel de la enfermera en la transición de la atención y Experiencias de los pacientes en la transición de la atención. El alta hospitalaria y las transiciones de la atención son procesos interconectados, ya que las transiciones califican el proceso de deshospitalización. Se deben adoptar diferentes estrategias para la continuidad de la atención, ya que ofrecen mayor seguridad al paciente. Los estudios han demostrado que los enfermeros juegan un papel fundamental en las transiciones y, en Brasil, esta actividad aún necesita ganar más espacio. La reducción de los reingresos, la mortalidad, los costos hospitalarios y la satisfacción del paciente son beneficios de las transiciones.

Conclusión:

la transición de la atención surge como una estrategia efectiva para calificar la atención brindada al paciente que se encuentra en proceso de deshospitalización. Señala la necesidad de integración entre la red de atención y ayuda a los servicios a tomar decisiones sobre la continuidad de la atención al alta.

DESCRIPTORES:
Atención de transición; Alta del paciente; Continuidad de la atención al paciente; Manejo de la salud; Enfermería

RESUMO

Objetivo:

sintetizar e analisar a produção científica sobre a transição do cuidado na alta hospitalar de pacientes adultos.

Método:

revisão integrativa, realizada de maio a julho de 2020, em quatro bases de dados relevantes na área da saúde: Public Medline (PubMed); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); Scopus e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS). A análise dos resultados ocorreu de forma descritiva e organizada em categorias temáticas que surgiram conforme a similaridade dos conteúdos extraídos dos artigos.

Resultados:

atenderam aos critérios de inclusão 46 artigos, de periódicos nacionais e internacionais, com predomínio de estudos descritivos/não experimentais ou com abordagem qualitativa. Foram identificadas cinco categorias: Processo de alta e pós-alta hospitalar; Continuidade do cuidado pós-alta; Benefícios da transição de cuidado; Papel do enfermeiro na transição de cuidado e Vivências de pacientes sobre a transição de cuidado. A alta hospitalar e as transições de cuidados são processos interligados, pois as transições qualificam o processo de desospitalização. Diferentes estratégias para a continuidade do cuidado devem ser adotadas, pois oferecem maior segurança ao paciente. Estudos mostraram que o enfermeiro tem papel fundamental nas transições e, no Brasil, essa atividade ainda precisa ganhar mais espaço. A redução das reinternações, mortalidade, custos hospitalares e a satisfação dos pacientes são benefícios das transições.

Conclusão:

a transição do cuidado ascende como estratégia eficaz para a qualificação do cuidado prestado ao paciente que está sendo desospitalizado. Aponta a necessidade de integração entre a rede assistencial e auxilia os serviços na tomada de decisão sobre a continuidade do cuidado na alta.

DESCRITORES:
Cuidado de transição; Alta do paciente; Continuidade da assistência ao paciente; Gestão em saúde; Enfermagem

INTRODUCTION

Currently, one of the great challenges facing the demands in the health area is the management of hospital beds. The reduction of hospital stay and readmission rates, which are indicators of hospital performance and quality11. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Grupo Hospitalar Conceição. Relatório Integrado 2018. Porto Alegre, RS(BR): Grupo Hospitalar Conceição; 2018. [cited 2020 May 01]. Available from: https://www.ghc.com.br/files/RelatorioIntegrado2018.pdf
https://www.ghc.com.br/files/RelatorioIn...
-22. Nascimento AB. Gerenciamento de leitos hospitalares: Análise conjunta do tempo de internação com indicadores demográficos e epidemiológicos. Rev Enferm Atenção Saúde [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 May 9];4(1):65-78. Available from: http://seer.uftm.edu.br/revistaeletronica/index.php/enfer/article/view/1264/1135
http://seer.uftm.edu.br/revistaeletronic...
, is an important strategy for bed management33. Alper, E; O’malley, TA; Greenwald J. Hospital discharge and readmission. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Mar 10]. Available from: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospital-discharge-and-readmission
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospita...
. In order to improve these indicators, there is a need for interventions that help in the proper organization for discharge, involving multidisciplinary teams, the patient, the family and support networks.

Thus, care transition is a strategy that can improve the reality of health services and their quality indicators. Care transition is defined as the interventions that coordinate patient care throughout their care in health services44. Shahsavari H, Zarei M, Mamaghani JA. Transitional care: Concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach. Int J Nurs Stud [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 02];99:103387. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103387
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019....
. Each time the patient is transferred from a team, sector or health environment, a transition is considered, i.e., it can happen between the teams of the same hospital, different hospitals and between hospital teams and Primary Health Care (PHC) or home care. Care transition at discharge is characterized as a set of actions that coordinate and continue the care needed for patients outside the hospital environment44. Shahsavari H, Zarei M, Mamaghani JA. Transitional care: Concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach. Int J Nurs Stud [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 02];99:103387. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103387
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019....
.

The participation of nurses in the care transition process to discharge has been growing55. Naylor M, Berlinger N. Transitional care: a priority for health care organizational ethics. Hastings Center Report [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 May 02];46(5):S39-S42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631
https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631...
-66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
. The growing and active participation in this process is related to the profile of nurses in activities of planning, organization and provision of comprehensive and safe care, which start from hospitalization and should continue after hospital discharge77. Leal JAL, Melo CMM. Processo de trabalho da enfermeira em diferentes países: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Bras Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 May 02];71(2):413-23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0468
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0...
.

The hospital discharge process is broad and complex. Ideally, discharge planning should start from the moment of hospitalization to ensure that the patient leaves the hospital at the appropriate time and with the proper organization of post-discharge needs66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
. Authors consider that essential components for transition care, which, if followed, avoid poor results, patient and family involvement, communication, collaboration between team members, adequate education for the patient and family, and continuity of care in health services55. Naylor M, Berlinger N. Transitional care: a priority for health care organizational ethics. Hastings Center Report [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 May 02];46(5):S39-S42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631
https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631...
, among others. Thus, the lack of one of the components implies an inefficient transition with unsatisfactory results. When dehospitalization occurs within the expected time, without any complications, an increase in the length of hospital stay is avoided. For this, it is necessary to consider factors that imply discharge, such as the needs of each patient, the structure and organization of the family, and the support of health care networks as fundamental elements to reduce the risk of rehospitalization. In the scenario of hospitalizations, the over 20 years of age population occupies most of the beds with diseases of the circulatory system, digestive tract, injuries from poisoning or external causes, neoplasms and respiratory diseases88. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS) [Internet]. Epidemiológicas e Morbidade. Morbidade hospitalar do SUS. Brasília, DF(BR): MS; 2020. [cited 2020 May 15]. Available from: http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi.exe?sih/cnv/nruf.def
http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi....
. The number of hospitalizations in Brazil among this population has increased by approximately 8.7% in the last five years88. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS) [Internet]. Epidemiológicas e Morbidade. Morbidade hospitalar do SUS. Brasília, DF(BR): MS; 2020. [cited 2020 May 15]. Available from: http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi.exe?sih/cnv/nruf.def
http://tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi....
. Chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes can lead to increased hospital stay and the risk of readmission by 30 days99. Chopra I, Wilkins TL, Sambamoorthi U. Hospital length of stay and all-cause 30-day readmissions among high-risk medicaid beneficiaries. J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 May 02];11(4):283-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2526 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2526...
-1010. Dias BM. Readmissão hospitalar como indicador de qualidade [Dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 2015 [cited 2021 May 02] Available from: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/22/22132/tde-22122015-101155/en.php
https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/2...
. In addition, prolonged hospitalization time is related to increased chances of readmissions99. Chopra I, Wilkins TL, Sambamoorthi U. Hospital length of stay and all-cause 30-day readmissions among high-risk medicaid beneficiaries. J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 May 02];11(4):283-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2526 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2526...
.

Unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days can be seen as team failures, possibly due to the fact that it was an early discharge or inefficient planning66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
. Spending on unplanned readmission in the United States reached $15-20 billion a year33. Alper, E; O’malley, TA; Greenwald J. Hospital discharge and readmission. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Mar 10]. Available from: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospital-discharge-and-readmission
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospita...
. In this country, in 2007, 21.5% of patients were readmitted within 30 days, but these rates fell over the years, reaching 17.8% in 20151111. Zuckerman RB, Sheingold SH, Orav EJ, Ruhter J, Epstein AM. Readmissions, observation, and the hospital readmissions reduction program. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 01];374:1543-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1513024
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1513024...
. 30-day readmission surveys conducted in Brazil found rates of 12.4 and 14.2%1010. Dias BM. Readmissão hospitalar como indicador de qualidade [Dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 2015 [cited 2021 May 02] Available from: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/22/22132/tde-22122015-101155/en.php
https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/2...
,1212. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM. Quality of care transition and its association with hospital readmission. Aquichan [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 June 01];19(4):e1945. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5294/aqui.2019.19.4.5
https://doi.org/10.5294/aqui.2019.19.4.5...
. It was also identified in another study that adults over 20 years of age have higher rates of rehospitalizations compared to the lower age groups1010. Dias BM. Readmissão hospitalar como indicador de qualidade [Dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 2015 [cited 2021 May 02] Available from: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/22/22132/tde-22122015-101155/en.php
https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/2...
.

The reduction in hospitalization time and readmission corroborates the reduction of health expenses and can improve the quality of life (Qol) of patients33. Alper, E; O’malley, TA; Greenwald J. Hospital discharge and readmission. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Mar 10]. Available from: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospital-discharge-and-readmission
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospita...
. Therefore, care transition is essential to the dehospitalization process and provide a safe discharge to patients.

However, the lack of publications that compiled the different ways of performing the care transition at hospital discharge of adult patients was identified. From this perspective, this study aims to fill this knowledge gap and enhance the knowledge translation process regarding care transition in health services. Thus the question is: what is the scientific production on care transition at hospital discharge for adult patients?.

The aim of the study is to summarize and analyze the scientific production on care transition at hospital discharge for adult patients.

METHOD

This is an integrative literature review conducted from May to July 2020. The following steps were followed in order to carry out this investigation: elaboration of the research question; data collection from the literature search of the studies; categorization of studies; evaluation of studies; data analysis and review presentation1313. Mendes KDS, Silveira RC de CP, Galvão CM. Use of the bibliographic reference manager in the selection of primary studies in integrative reviews. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 01];28:e20170204. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2017-0204
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
.

The main question of the research was: what is the scientific production on the care transition in hospital discharge of adult patients?. For the construction of the question, the PICO strategy was used1414. Santos CMDC, Pimenta CADM, Nobre MRC. A estratégia PICO para a construção da pergunta de pesquisa e busca de evidências. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2021 May 02];15(3):508-11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000300023 %0A
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-1169200700...
, with P being - adult patients who were discharged from hospital, I - care transition at hospital discharge and O - scientific production on the main care transition strategies on discharge. It is noteworthy that the C element, comparison between intervention or group, was not used due to the type of review.

Studies available in full with free access, published in the last five years were (2015 to 2019), in the following databases; Public Medline (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus and Virtual Health Library (VHL) were selected. The descriptors from the Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS) and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), in English, Portuguese and Spanish, being "transitional care", "patient discharge" and "continuity of patient care", combined with the Boolean operator AND were used.

Articles that did not address the adult population in care transition repeated articles, theses, dissertations, experience reports and theoretical studies were excluded. Review articles were included in the search. The delimited selection criteria were the studies that addressed the care transition at hospital discharge for adult patients and the care transition strategies employed in the studies.

An instrument was elaborated for the extraction of study data with the following items: title of the article; author(s); database; periodical; year of publication; objective(s); intervention; outcomes/conclusions and level of evidence.

To define the level of scientific evidence, the following classification system was used: level I - evidence comes from systematic review, meta-analysis or clinical guidelines from systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials; level II - evidence derived from at least one well-designed randomized controlled trial; level III - evidence obtained from well-designed clinical trials without randomization; level IV - evidence from well-designed cohort and case-control studies; level V - evidence originating from systematic review of descriptive and qualitative studies; level VI - evidence derived from a single descriptive or qualitative study; level VII - evidence from the opinion of authorities and/or report of expert committees1515. Fineout-Overholt E, Stillwell SB. Asking compelling, clinical questions. In: Melnyk BM, Fineout-Overholt E, eds. Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare A guide to best practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia (US): Wolters Kluwer, Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2011. p. 25-39. .

A total of 280 articles were identified and, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 46 articles were selected for the sample of this review. For the selection of publications, the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed, as shown in Figure 1 16 16. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. PRISMA 2009 Flow Diagram. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2021 May 02];339:b2535. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535...
.

Figure 1 -
Flowchart of selection of studies elaborated from PRISMA orientation. Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2020.

The 46 selected articles were read and analyzed. The summary and critical analysis of the studies were carried out descriptively and organized by content similarities in five thematic categories: Discharge process and post-hospital discharge; Continuity of post-discharge care; Benefits of the care transition; Role of nurses in the care transition and Experiences of patients regarding care transition.

RESULTS

Among the 46 studies selected, the year that obtained the highest number of publications was 2018, with 37% of the studies. The years 2017 and 2016 totaled 22%; 2015 totaled 13% and 2019, 6% of the selected publications. In relation to the journals, 31 journals that published the articles were identified. The BMC Health Services Research stands out, with nine articles; JAMA,with four articles; the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,with three articles; and the journals Age Ageing, Journal Hospital of Medicine, Journal of General Internal Medicine and Geriatric Nursing published two articles. All other journals published one article in the period selected for the study.

As for the classification according to the level of evidence (EL),15 most articles were classified as level IV (evidence from a well-designed cohort and case-control study), 41.3% of the total. Among the others, 24% were classified as level VI (evidence from a single descriptive or qualitative study); 21.7% as level II (evidence from at least one randomized controlled clinical trial); 6.5% as level V (evidence presented from systematic review, descriptive and qualitative studies); 4.3% as level I (evidence comes from systematic review, meta-analysis or clinical guidelines from systematic reviews of randomized controlled clinical trials); 2.2% as level VII (evidence derived from the opinion of authorities and/or expert committee opinion) and no article was classified as level III (evidence derived from well-designed clinical trials without randomization). Thus, it can be concluded that most of the studies included in this review have an intermediate level of evidence.

Among the studies on hospital readmission, some common characteristics among patients were identified. Among the most common pathologies, cardiovascular diseases1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
-2121. Hamar B, Rula EY, Wells AR, Coberley C, Pope JE, Varga D. Impact of a scalable care transitions program for readmission avoidance. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];22(1):28-34. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-scalable-care-transitions-program-for-readmission-avoidance
https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-sc...
and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) stand out.21,22 In addition, some articles selected elderly patients2323. Pauly MV, Hirschman KB, Hanlon AL, Huang L, Bowles KH, Bradway C, et al. Cost impact of the transitional care model for hospitalized cognitively impaired older adults. J Comp Eff Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 21];7(9):913-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2018-0040
https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2018-0040...
-2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
and with LACE score (predictive readmission score) in their samples greater than or equal to ten2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
.

Chart 1 shows the summary of information extracted from the sample articles.

Chart 1 -
Summary of information extracted from articles. Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2020.

Process of discharge and post-discharge from the hospital

Five articles were grouped on the process of discharge and post-discharge. Three of them addressed the importance of planning for hospital discharge2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
-2929. Kable A, Chenoweth L, Pond D, Hullick C. Health professional perspectives on systems failures in transitional care for patients with dementia and their carers: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];15:567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-...
; two articles discussed the difficulty found in this process in relation to high scores2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
,3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
and all of them mentioned strategies to improve the dehospitalization process2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
-3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
.

Discharge planning should begin from hospitalization and the definition of the patient's diagnosis2929. Kable A, Chenoweth L, Pond D, Hullick C. Health professional perspectives on systems failures in transitional care for patients with dementia and their carers: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];15:567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-...
to avoid that failures in the discharge organization can affect the subsequent care necessary for the patient2828. Couturier B, Carrat F, Hejblum G. A systematic review on the effect of the organisation of hospital discharge on patient health outcomes. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 15];6(12):e012287. Available from: https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 012287
https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 0...
. Poorly organized discharges impair their quality and put patient safety at risk through adverse events related to medication errors and communication failures2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
-2828. Couturier B, Carrat F, Hejblum G. A systematic review on the effect of the organisation of hospital discharge on patient health outcomes. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 15];6(12):e012287. Available from: https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 012287
https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 0...
,3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
.

A common difficulty found in the selected studies was with high scores. Typically, they are incomplete2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
,2929. Kable A, Chenoweth L, Pond D, Hullick C. Health professional perspectives on systems failures in transitional care for patients with dementia and their carers: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];15:567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-...
, with discrepancies between the care needed and the care provided2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
and also with a lack of clarity about the specific and particular needs of each patient at the time of transition2929. Kable A, Chenoweth L, Pond D, Hullick C. Health professional perspectives on systems failures in transitional care for patients with dementia and their carers: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];15:567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1227-...
. In a study, 13% of discharge scores analyzed were classified as poor or moderate due to being incomplete2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
.

Strategies to improve communication at discharge, highlighted in the studies, were verbal communication between hospital teams with the PHC3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
and the creation of information systems for exchange between levels of health care, facilitating the exchange of information and qualifying the hospital discharge process2828. Couturier B, Carrat F, Hejblum G. A systematic review on the effect of the organisation of hospital discharge on patient health outcomes. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 15];6(12):e012287. Available from: https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 012287
https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 0...
,3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
. The moment of hospital discharge and the transitions of care are complex processes that are interrelated2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
-2828. Couturier B, Carrat F, Hejblum G. A systematic review on the effect of the organisation of hospital discharge on patient health outcomes. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 15];6(12):e012287. Available from: https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 012287
https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 0...
. To improve the dehospitalization and post-discharge process, the researchers suggested the preparation of a care plan; the guarantee of patient safety through the realization of medication reconciliation adjusted to the changes that occurred during hospitalization; the standardization of the discharge process with the elaboration of well-structured discharge notes and the improvement of communication between the different levels of health care2727. Eggen AC, Jalving M, Bosma I, Veenhuis DJ, Bosscher LJ, Geerling JI, et al. A methodology to systematically analyze the hospital discharge of terminally ill patients. Med (United States) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];97(46): e12953. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012953
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000012...
-3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
.

Continuity of post-discharge care

Among all the articles of the integrative review, 50% of them brought strategies for the continuity of post-discharge care. As strategies, the studies highlighted the post-discharge telephonecalls,2121. Hamar B, Rula EY, Wells AR, Coberley C, Pope JE, Varga D. Impact of a scalable care transitions program for readmission avoidance. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];22(1):28-34. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-scalable-care-transitions-program-for-readmission-avoidance
https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-sc...
,2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
-3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
home visits (HVs)2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
-2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3737. Ballard J, Rankin W, Roper KL, Weatherford S, Cardarelli R. Effect of ambulatory transitional care management on 30-day readmission rates. Am J Med Qual [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 30];33(6):583-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528
https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528...
and also the association of HVs with telephone calls.2020. Wong FKY, Ng AYM, Lee PH, Lam PT, Ng JSC, Ng NHY, et al. Effects of a transitional palliative care model on patients with end-stage heart failure: A randomised controlled trial. Heart [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 May 24];102(14):1100-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308638 .
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-30...
,2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3939. Wong FKY, So C, Chau J, Law AKP, Tam SKF, McGhee S. Economic evaluation of the differential benefits of home visits with telephone calls and telephone calls only in transitional discharge support. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];44(1):143-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166 .
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166...
-4141. Finlayson K, Chang AM, Courtney MD, Edwards HE, Parker AW, Hamilton K, et al. Transitional care interventions reduce unplanned hospital readmissions in high-risk older adults. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];18:956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-9
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-...
Outpatient consultations1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
,3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
,4242. Pacho C, Domingo M, Núñez R, Lupón J, Moliner P, de Antonio M, et al. Una consulta específica al alta (STOP-HF-Clinic) reduce los reingresos a 30 días de los pacientes ancianos y frágiles con insuficiencia cardiaca. Rev Española Cardiol [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 June 20];70(8):631-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12...
-4343. Jackson C, Shahsahebi M, Wedlake T, Dubard CA. Timeliness of outpatient follow-up: an evidence-based approach for planning after hospital discharge. Ann Fam Med [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];13(2):115-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753 .
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753...
, discharge with home care service (SAD) teams4444. Federman AD, Soones T, DeCherrie L V., Leff B, Siu AL. Association of a bundled hospital-at-home and 30-day postacute transitional care program with clinical outcomes and patient experiences. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];178(8):1033-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2018.2562
https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2...
-4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
and the increasing use of technology 3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
,4646. Ritchie K, Duff-Woskosky A, Kipping S. Mending the cracks: a case study in using technology to assist with transitional care for persons with dementia. Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont) [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];30(3):54-62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385
https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385...
-4747. Wang QQ, Zhao J, Huo XR, Wu L, Yang LF, Li JY, et al. Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial. J Clin Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];27(19-20):3592-602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515...
are other strategies that help discharge and continuity of care.

Telephone calls stand out as the main strategy for care transition found in this review, since 21% of the articles discussed it in their results. Their objectives are to assist in the patient's self-management, to ensure that the care plan is being followed, to ask questions, to identify and solve problems 2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
-3232. Stella SA, Keniston A, Frank MG, Heppe D, Mastalerz K, Lones J, et al. Postdischarge telephone calls by hospitalists as a transitional care strategy. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 1];22(10):e338-42. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-telephone-calls-by-hospitalists-as-a-transitional-care-strategy
https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-...
,3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
,3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
-3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
and also to verify adherence to medications3333. Record JD, Niranjan-Azadi A, Christmas C, Hanyok LA, Rand CS, Hellmann DB, Ziegelstein RC . Telephone calls to patients after discharge from the hospital: an important part of transitions of care. Med Educ Online [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];20:1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701
https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701...
,3535. Yang S. Impact of pharmacist-led medication management in care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 24];17(1):722. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-3 .
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-...
-3737. Ballard J, Rankin W, Roper KL, Weatherford S, Cardarelli R. Effect of ambulatory transitional care management on 30-day readmission rates. Am J Med Qual [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 30];33(6):583-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528
https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528...
. Most of the selected studies showed positive results with the first calls within 72 hours after discharge2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
-3232. Stella SA, Keniston A, Frank MG, Heppe D, Mastalerz K, Lones J, et al. Postdischarge telephone calls by hospitalists as a transitional care strategy. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 1];22(10):e338-42. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-telephone-calls-by-hospitalists-as-a-transitional-care-strategy
https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-...
,3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
,3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
-3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
, but can range from seven to ten days post-discharge2121. Hamar B, Rula EY, Wells AR, Coberley C, Pope JE, Varga D. Impact of a scalable care transitions program for readmission avoidance. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];22(1):28-34. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-scalable-care-transitions-program-for-readmission-avoidance
https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-sc...
,3535. Yang S. Impact of pharmacist-led medication management in care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 24];17(1):722. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-3 .
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-...
-3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
,3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
. They can be performed by the multidisciplinary team, however, some articles highlighted the calls made by pharmacists3535. Yang S. Impact of pharmacist-led medication management in care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 24];17(1):722. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-3 .
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-...
-3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
and by physicians and/or residents3232. Stella SA, Keniston A, Frank MG, Heppe D, Mastalerz K, Lones J, et al. Postdischarge telephone calls by hospitalists as a transitional care strategy. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 1];22(10):e338-42. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-telephone-calls-by-hospitalists-as-a-transitional-care-strategy
https://www.ajmc.com/view/postdischarge-...
-3333. Record JD, Niranjan-Azadi A, Christmas C, Hanyok LA, Rand CS, Hellmann DB, Ziegelstein RC . Telephone calls to patients after discharge from the hospital: an important part of transitions of care. Med Educ Online [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];20:1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701
https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701...
. The interventions performed by pharmacists resulted in a decrease in adverse events related to medication errors3535. Yang S. Impact of pharmacist-led medication management in care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 24];17(1):722. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-3 .
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2684-...
-3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
. A study showed that 56% of the patients contacted by telephone presented some symptom or injury after discharge and, of these problems detected, 68% were managed by the doctor during the call, without the need for other care or return to the emergency room3333. Record JD, Niranjan-Azadi A, Christmas C, Hanyok LA, Rand CS, Hellmann DB, Ziegelstein RC . Telephone calls to patients after discharge from the hospital: an important part of transitions of care. Med Educ Online [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];20:1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701
https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.26701...
.

Regarding HVs, the studies indicated that they can be performed up to seven days after discharge, according to the complexity of the patient2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3737. Ballard J, Rankin W, Roper KL, Weatherford S, Cardarelli R. Effect of ambulatory transitional care management on 30-day readmission rates. Am J Med Qual [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 30];33(6):583-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528
https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528...
, and the follow-up time is also defined according to their need, and may happen two to twenty-four weeks after discharge2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
. During the visits, the teams performed the clinical, social and environmental evaluation of the patient, as well as the drug reconciliation and the guidelines to them and their families2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
-2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3737. Ballard J, Rankin W, Roper KL, Weatherford S, Cardarelli R. Effect of ambulatory transitional care management on 30-day readmission rates. Am J Med Qual [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 30];33(6):583-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528
https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528...
.

Studies have associated telephone calls and VDs in care transitions and all have had positive results with this association2020. Wong FKY, Ng AYM, Lee PH, Lam PT, Ng JSC, Ng NHY, et al. Effects of a transitional palliative care model on patients with end-stage heart failure: A randomised controlled trial. Heart [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 May 24];102(14):1100-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308638 .
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-30...
,2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3939. Wong FKY, So C, Chau J, Law AKP, Tam SKF, McGhee S. Economic evaluation of the differential benefits of home visits with telephone calls and telephone calls only in transitional discharge support. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];44(1):143-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166 .
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166...
-4141. Finlayson K, Chang AM, Courtney MD, Edwards HE, Parker AW, Hamilton K, et al. Transitional care interventions reduce unplanned hospital readmissions in high-risk older adults. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];18:956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-9
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-...
. Three studies compared the strategy of using the connections with the 3939. Wong FKY, So C, Chau J, Law AKP, Tam SKF, McGhee S. Economic evaluation of the differential benefits of home visits with telephone calls and telephone calls only in transitional discharge support. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];44(1):143-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166 .
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166...
-4141. Finlayson K, Chang AM, Courtney MD, Edwards HE, Parker AW, Hamilton K, et al. Transitional care interventions reduce unplanned hospital readmissions in high-risk older adults. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];18:956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-9
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-...
DVs with only some post-discharge follow-up4141. Finlayson K, Chang AM, Courtney MD, Edwards HE, Parker AW, Hamilton K, et al. Transitional care interventions reduce unplanned hospital readmissions in high-risk older adults. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];18:956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-9
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-...
or only with telephone calls3939. Wong FKY, So C, Chau J, Law AKP, Tam SKF, McGhee S. Economic evaluation of the differential benefits of home visits with telephone calls and telephone calls only in transitional discharge support. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];44(1):143-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166 .
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166...
-4040. Galbraith AA, Meyers DJ, Ross-Degnan D, Burns ME, Vialle-Valentin CE, Larochelle MR, et al. Long-term impact of a postdischarge community health worker intervention on health care costs in a safety-net system. Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 24];52(6):2061-78. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12790 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12790...
. The studies that used the two associated strategies for the transition had better results, since they were more effective in reducing rehospitalizations and hospital costs3939. Wong FKY, So C, Chau J, Law AKP, Tam SKF, McGhee S. Economic evaluation of the differential benefits of home visits with telephone calls and telephone calls only in transitional discharge support. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 15];44(1):143-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166 .
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu166...
-4141. Finlayson K, Chang AM, Courtney MD, Edwards HE, Parker AW, Hamilton K, et al. Transitional care interventions reduce unplanned hospital readmissions in high-risk older adults. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];18:956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-9
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3771-...
.

Regarding outpatient follow-up of patients, the articles showed that it can be done by physicians or trained nurses1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
,4242. Pacho C, Domingo M, Núñez R, Lupón J, Moliner P, de Antonio M, et al. Una consulta específica al alta (STOP-HF-Clinic) reduce los reingresos a 30 días de los pacientes ancianos y frágiles con insuficiencia cardiaca. Rev Española Cardiol [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 June 20];70(8):631-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12...
. The studies suggested that the first consultation shold be scheduled within seven days after discharge1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
,3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
,4242. Pacho C, Domingo M, Núñez R, Lupón J, Moliner P, de Antonio M, et al. Una consulta específica al alta (STOP-HF-Clinic) reduce los reingresos a 30 días de los pacientes ancianos y frágiles con insuficiencia cardiaca. Rev Española Cardiol [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 June 20];70(8):631-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2016.12...
-4343. Jackson C, Shahsahebi M, Wedlake T, Dubard CA. Timeliness of outpatient follow-up: an evidence-based approach for planning after hospital discharge. Ann Fam Med [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];13(2):115-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753 .
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753...
or before, depending on the severity of the patient3131. Lindquist LA, Miller RK, Saltsman WS, Carnahan J, Rowe TA, Arbaje AI, et al. SGIM-AMDA-AGS consensus best practice recommendations for transitioning patients’ healthcare from skilled nursing facilities to the community. J Gen Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];32(2):199-203. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3850-...
. Early follow-up, performed in seven days, was associated with reduced readmissions among patients with greater clinical complexity and higher risk of readmission, while among patients with no or only a chronic or acute condition, early care made no difference in readmissions4343. Jackson C, Shahsahebi M, Wedlake T, Dubard CA. Timeliness of outpatient follow-up: an evidence-based approach for planning after hospital discharge. Ann Fam Med [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 Jul 1];13(2):115-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753 .
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1753...
.

Home Care Services (HCS), which perform hospital care in the home environment, were cited in two articles4444. Federman AD, Soones T, DeCherrie L V., Leff B, Siu AL. Association of a bundled hospital-at-home and 30-day postacute transitional care program with clinical outcomes and patient experiences. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];178(8):1033-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2018.2562
https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2...
-4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
. Multidisciplinary teams develop individualized, patient-centered care plans and perform care such as disease monitoring, vital signs, intravenous infusions, wound treatment, education and health4444. Federman AD, Soones T, DeCherrie L V., Leff B, Siu AL. Association of a bundled hospital-at-home and 30-day postacute transitional care program with clinical outcomes and patient experiences. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];178(8):1033-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2018.2562
https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2...
-4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
. Usually, the first evaluation is performed by the doctor and nurse, who define the need for care by the other professionals of the team4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
. Nurses can visit patients once or more times a day, according to the need for care4444. Federman AD, Soones T, DeCherrie L V., Leff B, Siu AL. Association of a bundled hospital-at-home and 30-day postacute transitional care program with clinical outcomes and patient experiences. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];178(8):1033-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2018.2562
https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2...
. These studies had results such as the reduction of rehospitalizations and visits to emergency departments4444. Federman AD, Soones T, DeCherrie L V., Leff B, Siu AL. Association of a bundled hospital-at-home and 30-day postacute transitional care program with clinical outcomes and patient experiences. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];178(8):1033-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2018.2562
https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2...
-4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
. In addition, the study conducted in a Singapore hospital found overall cost savings of $4.7 million4545. Low LL, Vasanwala FF, Ng LB, Chen C, Lee KH, Tan SY. Effectiveness of a transitional home care program in reducing acute hospital utilization: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 30];15:100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0750-...
.

The participation of social workers in the activities of transition care as a member of the multidisciplinary team improves the connections with health services and the community, in addition to providing greater psychosocial support, leading to positive results in the health of patients4848. Barber RD, Kogan AC, Riffenburgh A, Enguidanos S. A role for social workers in improving care setting transitions: A case study. Soc Work Heal Care [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2020 June 20];54(3):177-92. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2015.1005273 .
https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2015.10...
.

The use of technology to aid continuity of care in post-discharge was highlighted in three studies3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
,4646. Ritchie K, Duff-Woskosky A, Kipping S. Mending the cracks: a case study in using technology to assist with transitional care for persons with dementia. Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont) [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];30(3):54-62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385
https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385...
-4747. Wang QQ, Zhao J, Huo XR, Wu L, Yang LF, Li JY, et al. Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial. J Clin Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];27(19-20):3592-602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515...
. One of them used big data technological innovation, which automatically alerts patient discharge via e-mail to the patient referral service3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
. The reference team had up to 48 hours after discharge to make the follow-up telephone calls, with social and health assessments3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
. In another study, an interprofessional care plan was elaborated in the electronic medical records, specific for patients with dementia. The team involved in the care, both from the hospital and the community, should access and maintain it4646. Ritchie K, Duff-Woskosky A, Kipping S. Mending the cracks: a case study in using technology to assist with transitional care for persons with dementia. Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont) [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];30(3):54-62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385
https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385...
. These two studies, with the help of technology, increased community monitoring and improved communication between health services, reducing gaps in transitions3434. Hewner S, Sullivan SS, Yu G. Reducing emergency room visits and in-hospitalizations by implementing best practice for transitional care using innovative technology and big data. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 24];15(3):170-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12286...
,4646. Ritchie K, Duff-Woskosky A, Kipping S. Mending the cracks: a case study in using technology to assist with transitional care for persons with dementia. Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont) [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 18];30(3):54-62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385
https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2018.25385...
.

Mobile applications can also be used for post-discharge follow-up, as in the study conducted with ostomy patients4747. Wang QQ, Zhao J, Huo XR, Wu L, Yang LF, Li JY, et al. Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial. J Clin Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];27(19-20):3592-602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515...
. Divided into two groups, patients in the control group received routine post-discharge care with outpatient consultations, while the intervention group, in addition to the consultations were monitored at home through a cell phone application. These patients were able to make appointments, ask questions and send photos through the app. The results were better in the intervention group, as the incidence of complications was lower and further decreased over the six-month follow-up in the same group4747. Wang QQ, Zhao J, Huo XR, Wu L, Yang LF, Li JY, et al. Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial. J Clin Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];27(19-20):3592-602. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14515...
.

Benefits of care transition

In 21 studies, "benefits of the care transition" were found. The main result was the reduction of readmission and emergency room visits1818. Garnier A, Rouiller N, Gachoud D, Nachar C, Voirol P, Griesser AC, et al. Effectiveness of a transition plan at discharge of patients hospitalized with heart failure: A before-andafter study. ESC Hear Fail [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 22];5(4):657-67. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.12295
https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.12295...
-2222. Aboumatar H, Naqibuddin M, Chung S, Chaudhry H, Kim SW, Saunders J, et al. Effect of a Program combining transitional care and long-term self-management support on outcomes of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 10];320(22):2335-43. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933...
,2424. Reidt SL, Holtan HS, Larson TA, Thompson B, Kerzner LJ, Salvatore TM, et al. Interprofessional collaboration to improve discharge from skilled nursing facility to home: preliminary data on postdischarge hospitalizations and emergency department visits. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];64(9):1895-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258...
,2626. Low LL, Tan SY, Ng MJM, Tay WY, Ng LB, Balasubramaniam K, et al. Applying the integrated practice unit concept to a modified virtual ward model of care for patients at highest risk of readmission: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];12(1):e0168757. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168757 .
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.016...
,3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
-3737. Ballard J, Rankin W, Roper KL, Weatherford S, Cardarelli R. Effect of ambulatory transitional care management on 30-day readmission rates. Am J Med Qual [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 30];33(6):583-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528
https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860618775528...
,4949. Toles M, Colón-Emeric C, Asafu-Adjei J, Moreton E, Hanson LC. Transitional care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities: A systematic review. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];37(4):296-301. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.04.012
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016...
-5353. Robertson FC, Logsdon JL, Dasenbrock HH, Yan SC, Raftery SM, Smith TR, et al. Transitional care services: A quality and safety process improvement program in neurosurgery. J Neurosurg [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];128(5):1570-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770
https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770...
. Six articles showed a decrease in mortality and hospital costs1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
,2323. Pauly MV, Hirschman KB, Hanlon AL, Huang L, Bowles KH, Bradway C, et al. Cost impact of the transitional care model for hospitalized cognitively impaired older adults. J Comp Eff Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 21];7(9):913-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2018-0040
https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2018-0040...
,2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
,4949. Toles M, Colón-Emeric C, Asafu-Adjei J, Moreton E, Hanson LC. Transitional care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities: A systematic review. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];37(4):296-301. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.04.012
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016...
,5151. Le Berre M, Maimon G, Sourial N, Guériton M, Vedel I. Impact of transitional care services for chronically ill older patients: A systematic evidence review. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 9];65(7):1597-608. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14828.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14828....
,5454. Bindman AB, Cox DF. Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among medicare beneficiaries. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];178(9):1283. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2572
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
and three indicated a decrease in adverse events3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
,3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
,5555. Heim N, Rolden H, Fenema EM, Weverling-Rijnsburger AWE, Tuijl JP, Jue P, et al. The development, implementation and evaluation of a transitional care programme to improve outcomes of frail older patients after hospitalization. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];45(5):642-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098...
. Others discussed the improvement of Qol2020. Wong FKY, Ng AYM, Lee PH, Lam PT, Ng JSC, Ng NHY, et al. Effects of a transitional palliative care model on patients with end-stage heart failure: A randomised controlled trial. Heart [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 May 24];102(14):1100-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308638 .
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-30...
,2222. Aboumatar H, Naqibuddin M, Chung S, Chaudhry H, Kim SW, Saunders J, et al. Effect of a Program combining transitional care and long-term self-management support on outcomes of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 10];320(22):2335-43. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933...
and patient satisfaction as positive results5353. Robertson FC, Logsdon JL, Dasenbrock HH, Yan SC, Raftery SM, Smith TR, et al. Transitional care services: A quality and safety process improvement program in neurosurgery. J Neurosurg [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];128(5):1570-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770
https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770...
. One of the articles addressed the benefits, in general, of the transition5555. Heim N, Rolden H, Fenema EM, Weverling-Rijnsburger AWE, Tuijl JP, Jue P, et al. The development, implementation and evaluation of a transitional care programme to improve outcomes of frail older patients after hospitalization. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];45(5):642-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098...
and only one article, a systematic review, found no association between continuity of care and the health implications of patients in the post-discharge period. This was associated with the heterogeneity of the research results and the limitation of the scientific evidence of the studies2828. Couturier B, Carrat F, Hejblum G. A systematic review on the effect of the organisation of hospital discharge on patient health outcomes. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 15];6(12):e012287. Available from: https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 012287
https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bmjopen-2016- 0...
.

Regarding readmissions, the articles compared the groups of patients who received some care transition (intervention group) with patients who did not receive care transition(control) and found significant differences, confirming the benefits of care transition. In the study with patients with chronic diseases, the risk of readmission, in 30 days, was 25% lower in the intervention group2121. Hamar B, Rula EY, Wells AR, Coberley C, Pope JE, Varga D. Impact of a scalable care transitions program for readmission avoidance. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];22(1):28-34. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-scalable-care-transitions-program-for-readmission-avoidance
https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-a-sc...
; patients with coronary heart disease had a 30-day readmission rate of 5.1% in the intervention group versus 16.1% in the control group and, in 90 days, 8.5% versus 20.3% of the control group1919. Cao XY, Tian L, Chen L, Jiang XL. Effects of a hospital-community partnership transitional program in patients with coronary heart disease in Chengdu, China: A randomized controlled trial. Japan J Nurs Sci [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 June 20];14(4):320-31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12160 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12160...
. A study with patients undergoing neurosurgery found readmission rates of 2.5% in the intervention group, while the other group had a readmission rate of 5.8% in 30 days5353. Robertson FC, Logsdon JL, Dasenbrock HH, Yan SC, Raftery SM, Smith TR, et al. Transitional care services: A quality and safety process improvement program in neurosurgery. J Neurosurg [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];128(5):1570-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770
https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770...
. In another study with the elderly population, the intervention group had 12.6% of emergency room visits, while the control group had a rate of 24.9% for the same2424. Reidt SL, Holtan HS, Larson TA, Thompson B, Kerzner LJ, Salvatore TM, et al. Interprofessional collaboration to improve discharge from skilled nursing facility to home: preliminary data on postdischarge hospitalizations and emergency department visits. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];64(9):1895-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258...
. The difference was not significant for rehospitalizations only in this study2424. Reidt SL, Holtan HS, Larson TA, Thompson B, Kerzner LJ, Salvatore TM, et al. Interprofessional collaboration to improve discharge from skilled nursing facility to home: preliminary data on postdischarge hospitalizations and emergency department visits. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];64(9):1895-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258...
.

One study found a significantly lower mortality rate, with 1.1% between 31 and 60 days after discharge in the group of patients receiving care transition, while in the control group, this rate was 1.6%5454. Bindman AB, Cox DF. Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among medicare beneficiaries. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];178(9):1283. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2572
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
. This reduction was also found in the elderly, with mortality rates of 25.2% in the group that received care transition versus 30.9% in the control group2525. Buurman BM, Parlevliet JL, Allore HG, Blok W, Van Deelen BAJ, Moll Van Charante EP, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and transitional care in acutely hospitalized patients the transitional care bridge randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];176(3):302-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8042 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20...
.

Regarding costs, patients who received care transition had significantly lower mean total costs in 31 to 60 days after discharge compared to other patients2424. Reidt SL, Holtan HS, Larson TA, Thompson B, Kerzner LJ, Salvatore TM, et al. Interprofessional collaboration to improve discharge from skilled nursing facility to home: preliminary data on postdischarge hospitalizations and emergency department visits. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 June 20];64(9):1895-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258 .
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14258...
. A survey conducted at a Missouri general hospital found a decline in institutional costs of $300 per heart disease patient who was linked to a care transition program1717. Soto GE, Huenefeldt EA, Hengst MN, Reimer AJ, Samuel SK, Samuel SK, et al. Implementation and impact analysis of a transitional care pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiac-related complaints. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20]; 18:672. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-2
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3482-...
.

QoL improvement was identified in two studies2020. Wong FKY, Ng AYM, Lee PH, Lam PT, Ng JSC, Ng NHY, et al. Effects of a transitional palliative care model on patients with end-stage heart failure: A randomised controlled trial. Heart [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 May 24];102(14):1100-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308638 .
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-30...
,2222. Aboumatar H, Naqibuddin M, Chung S, Chaudhry H, Kim SW, Saunders J, et al. Effect of a Program combining transitional care and long-term self-management support on outcomes of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 10];320(22):2335-43. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933...
. Among patients with COPD, QoL was verified at sixmonths2222. Aboumatar H, Naqibuddin M, Chung S, Chaudhry H, Kim SW, Saunders J, et al. Effect of a Program combining transitional care and long-term self-management support on outcomes of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 10];320(22):2335-43. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933 .
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17933...
and, in the study with palliative patients with Heart Failure (HF), there was still an improvement in symptoms of depression and dyspnea in 90 days of follow-up2020. Wong FKY, Ng AYM, Lee PH, Lam PT, Ng JSC, Ng NHY, et al. Effects of a transitional palliative care model on patients with end-stage heart failure: A randomised controlled trial. Heart [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 May 24];102(14):1100-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308638 .
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2015-30...
. An article highlighted the satisfaction of patients for participating in a program with pre and post-hospitalization guidance, calls and post-discharge consultations5353. Robertson FC, Logsdon JL, Dasenbrock HH, Yan SC, Raftery SM, Smith TR, et al. Transitional care services: A quality and safety process improvement program in neurosurgery. J Neurosurg [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 18];128(5):1570-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770
https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.2.JNS161770...
.

The decrease in adverse events was also found as a benefit of care transitions3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
,3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
,5555. Heim N, Rolden H, Fenema EM, Weverling-Rijnsburger AWE, Tuijl JP, Jue P, et al. The development, implementation and evaluation of a transitional care programme to improve outcomes of frail older patients after hospitalization. Age Ageing [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];45(5):642-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw098...
. A group of patients who received medication reconciliation by a pharmacist before discharge and post-discharge as well as phone calls, obtained 8% of events related to medications or medication errors, in relation to 12.8% of events found in the group of patients who did not receive medication reconciliation3636. Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, Hansen LO, Williams MV, Vetter E, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2020 Jul 18];11(1):39-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493 .
https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2493...
. Communication failures are also related to adverse events and that is why different forms of communication should be used between health care levels to reduce the risk of adverse events3030. Rattray NA, Sico JJ, Cox LAM, Russ AL, Matthias MS, Frankel RM. Crossing the communication chasm: Challenges and opportunities in transitions of care from the hospital to the primary care clinic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Jul 15];43(3):127-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2016.11.0...
.

Role of nurses in care transition

Seven articles addressed the role of nurses in care transition. The main activities were related to education and health3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
,5656. Acosta AM, Câmara CE, Weber LAF, Fontenele RM. Atividades do enfermeiro na transição do cuidado: realidades e desafios. Rev Enferm UFPE online [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 20];12(12):3190-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12a231432p3190-3197-2018
https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12...
-5858. Whitehouse CR, Sharts-Hopko NC, Smeltzer SC et al. Supporting transitions in care for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Res Gerontol Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];11(2):71-81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20180223-02 .
https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-2018022...
and home follow-up after discharge3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
,5252. Hwang U, Dresden SM, Rosenberg MS, Garrido MM, Loo G, Sze J, et al. Geriatric emergency department innovations: transitional care nurses and hospital use. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];66(3):459-66. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15235
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15235...
,5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
-5858. Whitehouse CR, Sharts-Hopko NC, Smeltzer SC et al. Supporting transitions in care for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Res Gerontol Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];11(2):71-81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20180223-02 .
https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-2018022...
. Two studies highlighted nurses as the main articulator among professionals and the different levels of care5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
,5959. Aued GK, Bernardino E, Lapierre J, Dallaire C. Atividades das enfermeiras de ligação na alta hospitalar: uma estratégia para a continuidade do cuidado. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];27:e3162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3162
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3...
while one study emphasized the experience and competence of nurses in the care of complex patients and their families6060. Costa MFBNA da, Andrade SR De, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. A continuidade do cuidado de enfermagem hospitalar para a Atenção Primaria à Saúde na Espanha. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];53:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018017803477
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201801...
.

Health education activities were highlighted, and it was identified that about 60% of nurses always or frequently perform them5656. Acosta AM, Câmara CE, Weber LAF, Fontenele RM. Atividades do enfermeiro na transição do cuidado: realidades e desafios. Rev Enferm UFPE online [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 20];12(12):3190-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12a231432p3190-3197-2018
https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12...
, with guidance on medical devices (tubes, drains, dressings), medication administration, food, self-care and information about the disease3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
,5656. Acosta AM, Câmara CE, Weber LAF, Fontenele RM. Atividades do enfermeiro na transição do cuidado: realidades e desafios. Rev Enferm UFPE online [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 20];12(12):3190-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12a231432p3190-3197-2018
https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12...
-5858. Whitehouse CR, Sharts-Hopko NC, Smeltzer SC et al. Supporting transitions in care for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Res Gerontol Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];11(2):71-81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20180223-02 .
https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-2018022...
. Drug reconciliation can also be performed by nurses and should be performed on patient admission and discharge5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
.

Home follow-up after discharge is also one of the activities of care transition nurses performed through HVs or phone calls, which allow evaluations and interventions according to the patient's need and result in more qualified transitions and reduce the risk of readmissions3838. Wong S, Montoya L, Quinlan B. Transitional care post TAVI: A pilot initiative focused on bridging gaps and improving outcomes. Geriatr Nurs (Minneap) [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 15];39(5):548-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.03.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018...
,5252. Hwang U, Dresden SM, Rosenberg MS, Garrido MM, Loo G, Sze J, et al. Geriatric emergency department innovations: transitional care nurses and hospital use. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 9];66(3):459-66. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15235
https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15235...
,5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
-5858. Whitehouse CR, Sharts-Hopko NC, Smeltzer SC et al. Supporting transitions in care for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Res Gerontol Nurs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 June 20];11(2):71-81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20180223-02 .
https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-2018022...
.

Authors state that care continuity nurses are the main articulators among the different professionals of the teams and also between the levels of health care5959. Aued GK, Bernardino E, Lapierre J, Dallaire C. Atividades das enfermeiras de ligação na alta hospitalar: uma estratégia para a continuidade do cuidado. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];27:e3162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3162
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3...
-6060. Costa MFBNA da, Andrade SR De, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. A continuidade do cuidado de enfermagem hospitalar para a Atenção Primaria à Saúde na Espanha. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];53:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018017803477
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201801...
. They are usually the ones who transfer the information from discharge to health services and this occurs through telephone contact and/or by e-mail5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
,5959. Aued GK, Bernardino E, Lapierre J, Dallaire C. Atividades das enfermeiras de ligação na alta hospitalar: uma estratégia para a continuidade do cuidado. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];27:e3162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3162
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3...
, and may occur on the day of discharge or 24 to 48 hours before5959. Aued GK, Bernardino E, Lapierre J, Dallaire C. Atividades das enfermeiras de ligação na alta hospitalar: uma estratégia para a continuidade do cuidado. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];27:e3162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3162
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3...
. One study found that about 52% of nurses in hospital admissions units guide patients to follow-up care with PHC, but more than half of them do not report to the referral team regarding discharge5656. Acosta AM, Câmara CE, Weber LAF, Fontenele RM. Atividades do enfermeiro na transição do cuidado: realidades e desafios. Rev Enferm UFPE online [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 May 20];12(12):3190-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12a231432p3190-3197-2018
https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v12i12...
. When there are no defined flows or mechanisms for the transfer of information, many may be lost throughout the service, causing a deficiency in transitions with damage to the patient due to communication failures, increased costs and delays in solving problems6060. Costa MFBNA da, Andrade SR De, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. A continuidade do cuidado de enfermagem hospitalar para a Atenção Primaria à Saúde na Espanha. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];53:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018017803477
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201801...
.

Among the competencies and skills of nurses who perform care transition activities are teamwork, experience in the treatment of difficult situations, care management for complex patients and their families and knowledge of the health care network for continuity of care6060. Costa MFBNA da, Andrade SR De, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. A continuidade do cuidado de enfermagem hospitalar para a Atenção Primaria à Saúde na Espanha. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];53:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018017803477
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201801...
.

In some countries, there are nurses who are responsible for coordinating hospital discharge, accompanying the multidisciplinary team in the care provided, establishing the individualized care plan with the patient and family and transferring this information from the hospital to PHC. These nurses are called transition nurses, liaison hospital nurses, case managers or care continuity nurses5959. Aued GK, Bernardino E, Lapierre J, Dallaire C. Atividades das enfermeiras de ligação na alta hospitalar: uma estratégia para a continuidade do cuidado. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];27:e3162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3162
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3069.3...
-6060. Costa MFBNA da, Andrade SR De, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. A continuidade do cuidado de enfermagem hospitalar para a Atenção Primaria à Saúde na Espanha. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Jul 12];53:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018017803477
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201801...
.

An integrative review identified that more than half of the selected articles showed that discharge planning was carried out by nurses together with the multidisciplinary team, the patient and the family5757. Weber LAF, Lima MAD da S, Acosta AM, Marques GQ. Transição do cuidado do hospital para o domicílio: revisão integrativa. Cogitare Enferm [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 May 10];22(3):e47615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v22i3.4761...
. However, a research conducted in Brazil with nurses from inpatient units, in relation to their activities, showed that discharge planning as a team and the elaboration of a discharge plan are activities which are rarely performed by nurses55. Naylor M, Berlinger N. Transitional care: a priority for health care organizational ethics. Hastings Center Report [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 May 02];46(5):S39-S42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631
https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.631...
.

Patient experiences on care transition

Two studies discussed the experiences of patients regarding care transition at discharge, describing complaints and experiences from the patients and their families.

Many reported that discharge was reported on the same day, without notice or prior planning, and the guidelines were also given on the day of discharge6161. Hestevik CH, Molin M, Debesay J, Bergland A, Bye A. Older persons’ experiences of adapting to daily life at home after hospital discharge: A qualitative metasummary. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 May 20];19:224. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-...
-6262. Backman C, Stacey D, Crick M, Cho-Young D, Marck PB. Use of participatory visual narrative methods to explore older adults’ experiences of managing multiple chronic conditions during care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 12];18:482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-...
. Poorly planned discharges and communication failures cause patients and their families to experience anxiety and insecurity as many will have to face a readaptation period after leaving the hospital, as well as putting the patient at risk for adverse events6161. Hestevik CH, Molin M, Debesay J, Bergland A, Bye A. Older persons’ experiences of adapting to daily life at home after hospital discharge: A qualitative metasummary. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 May 20];19:224. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-...
-6262. Backman C, Stacey D, Crick M, Cho-Young D, Marck PB. Use of participatory visual narrative methods to explore older adults’ experiences of managing multiple chronic conditions during care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 12];18:482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-...
. Reports on the lack of care coordination after discharge were highlighted, as many patients had difficulties in scheduling appointments and felt the lack of a home follow-up6161. Hestevik CH, Molin M, Debesay J, Bergland A, Bye A. Older persons’ experiences of adapting to daily life at home after hospital discharge: A qualitative metasummary. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 May 20];19:224. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-z
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4035-...
-6262. Backman C, Stacey D, Crick M, Cho-Young D, Marck PB. Use of participatory visual narrative methods to explore older adults’ experiences of managing multiple chronic conditions during care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 12];18:482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-...
.

Regarding the positive experiences during the transitions from the hospital to the house, one can highlight the satisfaction with home care, which was responsive and personalized6262. Backman C, Stacey D, Crick M, Cho-Young D, Marck PB. Use of participatory visual narrative methods to explore older adults’ experiences of managing multiple chronic conditions during care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 12];18:482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-...
. Nurses were also mentioned because they played a significant role in facilitating care transitions, based on the coordination between the different levels of care6262. Backman C, Stacey D, Crick M, Cho-Young D, Marck PB. Use of participatory visual narrative methods to explore older adults’ experiences of managing multiple chronic conditions during care transitions. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Jul 12];18:482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3292-...
.

DISCUSSION

Patients who are readmitted frequently have similar profiles with regard to health problems, as found in this integrative review and in the study by Dias1010. Dias BM. Readmissão hospitalar como indicador de qualidade [Dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 2015 [cited 2021 May 02] Available from: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/22/22132/tde-22122015-101155/en.php
https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/2...
, in which diseases of the circulatory system stood out, with a readmission rate of 13.7%, behind neoplasms, which have a rate of 19.9%; elderly patients, with a 38.4% of total readmissions, and among all readmitted patients, 47.6% had at least one associated comorbidity and 13.9% had five diagnoses1010. Dias BM. Readmissão hospitalar como indicador de qualidade [Dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 2015 [cited 2021 May 02] Available from: https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/22/22132/tde-22122015-101155/en.php
https://teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/2...
. Health teams should be attentive to patients with these profiles as performing care transition can prevent them from returning to the hospital.

Some studies6363. NICE. Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2015. [cited 2020 May 20] Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/resources/transition-between-inpatient-hospital-settings-and-community-or-care-home-settings-for-adults-with-social-care-needs-pdf-1837336935877
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/re...
-6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
reaffirmed the need for early discharge planning, which should be initiated upon the patient's admission. It is at this moment that all professionals involved in care should evaluate the social and health needs of the patient6363. NICE. Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2015. [cited 2020 May 20] Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/resources/transition-between-inpatient-hospital-settings-and-community-or-care-home-settings-for-adults-with-social-care-needs-pdf-1837336935877
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/re...
-6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
, which can contribute to the discharge occurring at the planned time.

The transition from hospital to home is a delicate moment, because it is during this period that the patient is more prone to adverse events44. Shahsavari H, Zarei M, Mamaghani JA. Transitional care: Concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach. Int J Nurs Stud [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 02];99:103387. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103387
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019....
,66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
, which can occur due to medications errors and communication failures. The revision of medications is essential in this dehospitalization process and should be performed at admission and discharge6565. Coffey A, Leahy-Warren P, Savage E, Hegarty J, Cornally N, Day MR et al. Interventions to promove early discharge and avoid inappropriate hospital (re)admission: a systematic review. Int J Environ Re Public Health [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];16(14):2457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457...
. In addition, patient guidance on the use of medications is also important in order to avoid the risk of adverse events, and should happen throughout hospitalization and not only on the day of discharge.

Regarding the risk of adverse events related to communication, the authors stated that the standardization of discharge notes is important for transitions to be safe, with the purpose of improving continuity of care66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
. The complete communication of this information ensures that the professionals who will attend the patient, when accessing the discharge summary, will understand what is their health condition and what care is needed post-discharge6363. NICE. Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2015. [cited 2020 May 20] Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/resources/transition-between-inpatient-hospital-settings-and-community-or-care-home-settings-for-adults-with-social-care-needs-pdf-1837336935877
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/re...
.

To assist in the process of discharge and post-discharge, the authors suggested the use of checklists for qualified discharge in order to ensure the safety of transitions and for continuity of care to be successful6666. Kuusisto A, Joensuu A, Nevalainen M, Pakkanen T, Ranne P, Puustinen J. Standardizing Key Issues from Hospital Through an Electronic Multi-Professional. Discharge Checklist to Ensure Continuity of Care. Stud Health Technol Inform [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];264:664-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306
https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306...
. These instruments are tools to systematize work and prevent memory lapses and human errors66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
,6666. Kuusisto A, Joensuu A, Nevalainen M, Pakkanen T, Ranne P, Puustinen J. Standardizing Key Issues from Hospital Through an Electronic Multi-Professional. Discharge Checklist to Ensure Continuity of Care. Stud Health Technol Inform [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];264:664-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306
https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306...
. The checklist should be part of the care plan, the social situation of the patient, their conditions for self-care, mental status, drug reconciliation, direction and communication to other levels of care6666. Kuusisto A, Joensuu A, Nevalainen M, Pakkanen T, Ranne P, Puustinen J. Standardizing Key Issues from Hospital Through an Electronic Multi-Professional. Discharge Checklist to Ensure Continuity of Care. Stud Health Technol Inform [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];264:664-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306
https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190306...
.

The discharge process is challenging for the teams, as it requires organization, commitment and multidisciplinary work, in addition, post-discharge is a moment of apprehension for the patient and his/her family members due to the risks of adverse events. Therefore, adequate discharge planning is essential because, in addition to assisting in the work of the teams, it brings benefits and more safety to the patient.

The use of strategies for care continuity provides a transition of safe and quality post-discharge care. Researchers have suggested that telephone calls and HVs are tools that help reduce the demand for care, detecting and treating problems before hospital demand is necessary, and the association of these strategies makes transitions have a greater chance of positive results44. Shahsavari H, Zarei M, Mamaghani JA. Transitional care: Concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary approach. Int J Nurs Stud [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 02];99:103387. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103387
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019....
,6363. NICE. Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2015. [cited 2020 May 20] Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/resources/transition-between-inpatient-hospital-settings-and-community-or-care-home-settings-for-adults-with-social-care-needs-pdf-1837336935877
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/re...
,6565. Coffey A, Leahy-Warren P, Savage E, Hegarty J, Cornally N, Day MR et al. Interventions to promove early discharge and avoid inappropriate hospital (re)admission: a systematic review. Int J Environ Re Public Health [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];16(14):2457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457...
. Thus, it is clear that no isolated care has results as satisfactory as the association of different care. Along with these strategies, post-discharge consultations, focusing on evaluation and rehabilitation, are also crucial for optimal transitions to occur and reduce the risk of readmission6565. Coffey A, Leahy-Warren P, Savage E, Hegarty J, Cornally N, Day MR et al. Interventions to promove early discharge and avoid inappropriate hospital (re)admission: a systematic review. Int J Environ Re Public Health [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];16(14):2457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457...
.

Furthermore, in relation to strategies for care continuity, the benefits of SAD care were evident in a randomized controlled study that compared patients with homecare with that of hospitalized patients6767. Levine DM, Ouchi K, Blanchfield B, Saenz A, Burke K, Paz M, et al. Hospital-level care at home for acutely ill adults a randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Jul 12];172(2):77-85. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-0600
https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-0600...
. The results showed that patients with home care had a 38% lower average cost, with fewer requests for laboratory tests and images; they had a readmission rate of 7%, while in the group of hospitalized patients, this rate was 23%6767. Levine DM, Ouchi K, Blanchfield B, Saenz A, Burke K, Paz M, et al. Hospital-level care at home for acutely ill adults a randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Jul 12];172(2):77-85. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-0600
https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-0600...
.

The use of technology in health services has gained space and has great potential to contribute to the qualification of care and communication between the hospital and the community. Researchers concluded that telemonitoring helps health teams supervise patients' self-management after discharge, seeking better results for their health6868. Hale TM, Jethwani K, Kandola MS, Saldana F, Kvedar JC. A remote medication monitoring system for chronic heart failure patients to reduce readmissions: A two-arm randomized pilot study. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 Feb 25];18(4):e91. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5256 .
https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5256...
. Thus, in the care transitions, the use of technology is seen as a promising method to improve the quality of the transition from hospital to home, providing the exchange of information between the different health care levels6868. Hale TM, Jethwani K, Kandola MS, Saldana F, Kvedar JC. A remote medication monitoring system for chronic heart failure patients to reduce readmissions: A two-arm randomized pilot study. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2021 Feb 25];18(4):e91. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5256 .
https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5256...
.

With all this, it can be seen that care continuity at discharge can be performed in different ways and the definition of which care strategy will depend on the needs of the patient after hospital discharge.

Care transition has several benefits, including the reduction of readmissions and emergency room visits, as well as the reduction of mortality and hospital costs. Some factors that influence readmission may not be under hospital control, as the patient's reality after discharge is an important determinant. Thus, care transition interventions, which begin in the hospital environment, are essential and need to be successful in order to help reduce readmission6565. Coffey A, Leahy-Warren P, Savage E, Hegarty J, Cornally N, Day MR et al. Interventions to promove early discharge and avoid inappropriate hospital (re)admission: a systematic review. Int J Environ Re Public Health [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];16(14):2457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457...
.

One study identified, for each avoided readmission, a reduction of U$5,652.00 in costs, confirming that the transitions contribute to the reduction of hospital costs6969. Gunadi S, Upfield S, Pham N-D, Yea J, Schmiedeberg MB. Development of a collaborative transitions-of-care program for heart failure patients. Am J Heal Pharm [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2021 Feb 25];72:1147-52. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563
https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563...
. This decrease in health expenditures is probably related to the fact that these patients visit emergencies less and are also less readmitted because they are monitored after discharge by teams prepared for this activity.

The implementation of a care transition program, in which patients received guidance and drug reconciliation during hospitalization and discharge, improved care and, consequently, patient satisfaction6969. Gunadi S, Upfield S, Pham N-D, Yea J, Schmiedeberg MB. Development of a collaborative transitions-of-care program for heart failure patients. Am J Heal Pharm [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2021 Feb 25];72:1147-52. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563
https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563...
. In addition, it resulted in increased compliance with post-discharge basic care, thus decreasing readmission by 30 days to6969. Gunadi S, Upfield S, Pham N-D, Yea J, Schmiedeberg MB. Development of a collaborative transitions-of-care program for heart failure patients. Am J Heal Pharm [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2021 Feb 25];72:1147-52. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563
https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140563...
and reinforcing the positive results of the transition.

In view of all this, it is evident that care transition has several benefits, both for health services, with the reduction of expenses, and for patients, who have less need to seek hospital care, have less risks of adverse events and can improve quality of life.

Authors stated that nurses are qualified to perform educational actions to promote health7070. Lima MADS, Magalhães AMM, Oelke ND, Marques GQ, Lorenzini E, Weber LAF, et al. Estratégias de transição de cuidados nos países latino-americanos: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Gaúcha Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 May 03];39:e20180119. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2018.20180119
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2018.2...
and, during these moments, in addition to educating, it is necessary to detect the characteristics of the patient and family and collect information about their previous situation and the resources available6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
. Nurses are seen as the professionals who provide more complex care orientations to patients such as relief surveys, ostomies and extensive dressings6565. Coffey A, Leahy-Warren P, Savage E, Hegarty J, Cornally N, Day MR et al. Interventions to promove early discharge and avoid inappropriate hospital (re)admission: a systematic review. Int J Environ Re Public Health [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 May 03];16(14):2457. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142457...
.

The activities of nurses in care transitions begin at admission and should continue post-discharge. The knowledge of nurses in relation to the health care network is essential for referral and bonding after discharge to be guaranteed, because the patient and the family can have doubts, uncertainties and fears, and the support of the network is fundamental for the continuity of care7171. Guzmán MCG, Andrade SR, Ferreira A. Rol enfermero para continuidad del cuidado en el alta hospitalaria. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29(Spe):e20190268. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2019-0268
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
.

The creation of a tool to systematize hospital discharge, such as a continuity report, emphasizing the preparation that the patient had for discharge and that can be used as a care guide to be consulted at home, can be an effective strategy for the implementation of post-discharge care66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
,6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
. The elaboration of this type of tool requires collaboration and interdisciplinary work66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
,6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
and, often, nurses are the coordinator of this activity66. Mennuni M, Gulizia MM, Alunni G, Amico AF, Bovenzi FM, Caporale R, et al. ANMCO Position Paper: hospital discharge planning: recommendations and standards. Euro Heart J Suppl [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2021 May 02];19(Suppl D):D244-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/sux011...
,6464. Costa MFBNA, Ciosak SI, Andrade SR, Soares CF, Pérez EIB, Bernardino E. Continuity of hospital discharge care for primary health care: Spanish practice. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29:e20180332. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2018-0332
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
. This is already a reality in many countries and is related to the skills of nurses, who are recognized as an articulating link between patients and other professionals in the care team, as well as among the team's own professionals77. Leal JAL, Melo CMM. Processo de trabalho da enfermeira em diferentes países: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Bras Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 May 02];71(2):413-23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0468
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0...
.

It is known that, in Brazil, the process of care transition to dehospitalization is still gaining strength, while in other countries there are already nurses coordinating the activity. Authors stated that the dedication of nurses in many administrative activities compromises the full execution of nursing care77. Leal JAL, Melo CMM. Processo de trabalho da enfermeira em diferentes países: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Bras Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 May 02];71(2):413-23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0468
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0...
, which may affect their participation in the care transition process from to dehospitalization. Thus, the nurses' attributions need to be reorganized and their participation in the discharge planning needs to be expanded and, preferably, exclusive, in order to improve the care transitions, ensuring patient safety after leaving the hospital.

Complaints regarding the time of discharge and care transition are common when patients and family members are questioned about this process. However, positive experiences are also reported.

During discharge planning, patient and family involvement is essential for its success. The complete communication of the information, with adequate education and health guidelines during hospitalization, contributes to patient safety, avoiding adverse events after discharge7070. Lima MADS, Magalhães AMM, Oelke ND, Marques GQ, Lorenzini E, Weber LAF, et al. Estratégias de transição de cuidados nos países latino-americanos: uma revisão integrativa. Rev Gaúcha Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 May 03];39:e20180119. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2018.20180119
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2018.2...
.

Among the positive experiences, we can highlight the satisfaction with home care and the fundamental role of nurses in care transition activities. This is because home care offers special and individualized care to the patient6363. NICE. Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2015. [cited 2020 May 20] Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/resources/transition-between-inpatient-hospital-settings-and-community-or-care-home-settings-for-adults-with-social-care-needs-pdf-1837336935877
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng27/re...
and the knowledge of the care network of the nurse, facilitates and improves care continuity7171. Guzmán MCG, Andrade SR, Ferreira A. Rol enfermero para continuidad del cuidado en el alta hospitalaria. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 25];29(Spe):e20190268. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2019-0268
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-20...
. It is also perceived how much the care transition process to discharge still has flaws and knowing the experiences of patients and their families can enable the identification and search for the reduction of these issues.

This study has some limitations, among them, the choice for an adult age group, which limited the discussion about care transition of children and adolescents, and the identification of the type of methodology used in some selected articles.

CONCLUSION

The study provided knowledge about the scientific production related to the care transition in the hospital discharge of adult patients.

From the synthesis and analysis of knowledge on the subject, it was found that hospital discharge and care transitions are broad and complex processes that are interconnected. It was identified that there are different strategies for the continuity of post-discharge care, which must be adopted, as it offers safety as well as many other benefits to the patient and health services. In addition, it was possible to recognize that the nurse has a fundamental role in transition activities and, in Brazil, however, it should be expanded, with nurses working exclusively in teams dedicated to care transition.

The study provides support for decision-making on care transition activities, both in the hospital and PHC, as well as the need for integration between the care network.

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Edited by

EDITORS

Associated Editors: Mara Ambrosina de Oliveira Vargas, Gisele Cristina Manfrini, Monica Motta Lino. Editor-chefe: Roberta Costa.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 Sept 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    02 Mar 2021
  • Accepted
    25 May 2021
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós Graduação em Enfermagem Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-970 Florianópolis - Santa Catarina - Brasil, Tel.: (55 48) 3721-4915 / (55 48) 3721-9043 - Florianópolis - SC - Brazil
E-mail: textoecontexto@contato.ufsc.br