Discharge planning model for elderly patients with high blood pressure Khao Wong Hospital, Kalasin Province

Abstract

     This action research study, conducted at Khao Wong Hospital in Kalasin Province from October 2022 to May 2023 over a span of eight months, aimed to examine the patterns and outcomes of a discharge planning model tailored for elderly patients with high blood pressure. The study's sample comprised 36 elderly patients with high blood pressure admitted to both the male and female inpatient units of Khao

Wong Hospital. Various research tools were employed, including discharge planning formats specifically designed for elderly patients with high blood pressure, medical history and health condition records, interviews, behavioral monitoring forms, tests, and questionnaires. Data analysis encompassed content analysis and the application of both descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired t-tests.

     The findings of the research highlighted critical health concerns among elderly patients with high blood pressure admitted to Khao Wong Hospital's inpatient units, with a particular focus on low levels of physical activity and the consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, it was observed that patients, their relatives, or caregivers possessed knowledge about high blood pressure in general and specific aspects. Importantly, there was a moderate level of overall support from relatives or caregivers for instigating lifestyle changes in elderly patients with high blood pressure. The discharge planning model, implemented as part of the study, involved the formation of a dedicated team to enhance the quality of discharge planning, initial assessment of patients' health issues upon admission, patient classification based on individual health problems, execution of patient discharge plans, follow-up after patients' return home, and the compilation of operational result summaries. The post-implementation results indicated statistically significant improvements. Patients and their relatives or caregivers exhibited enhanced knowledge about high blood pressure, with an increase in knowledge levels observed after the implementation of the model. Moreover, the level of support for lifestyle changes in elderly patients with high blood pressure showed a substantial increase post-implementation. Additionally, patients' health conditions demonstrated significant improvements, with reduced systolic blood pressure and BMI values post-implementation compared to pre-implementation levels.