Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Committee Chairperson

Cheryl D. Schlamb DNP

Committee Member

Diane Sutton, DNP

Committee Member

Jacquelyn Owens, DNP

Abstract

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project explores the impact of implementing a Virtual Discharge Nurse (VDN) on patient length of stay (LOS) and discharge timing at Paoli Hospital within the Main Line Health system. Hospital discharges are often complex and can negatively impact patient flow and outcomes. This study highlights the urgent need for innovative discharge practices in healthcare and supports the potential benefits of integrating technology into nursing roles to improve patient care and operational efficiency. The project's significance lies in addressing these challenges by utilizing VDN to enhance communication, education, and resource management during discharge. We aim to achieve more efficient discharge times, especially before 2 p.m. The pilot employs a retrospective pre- and post-implementation design, analyzing discharge data collected from the electronic health record system on patient discharge times and average patient length of stay. The VDN pilot program launched in August 2024 and ran until January 2025 in two patient care units at Paoli Hospital (4A and 4B). The VDN was used to help facilitate discharge teaching to patients who could participate in a video conference call and were being discharged home after their hospital stay. Initial findings revealed an increase in the frequency of discharges before 2 PM, highlighting the VDN's role in fostering timely discharges. However, the project did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in overall LOS, suggesting that while discharge timing improved, LOS remained stable. The VDN will be implemented throughout all nursing units at MLH's four acute hospitals.

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