Factors Influencing Readiness for Hospital Discharge among Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer has become an important disease burden harmful to women’s health. The treatment of breast cancer is mainly surgical treatment. In the context of enhanced recovery after surgery, the average length of hospital stay has been reduced, so there is increasing concern about postoperative patient discharge readiness. Objective: To identify factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge among patients having undergone breast cancer surgery and to explore the relationship between discharge readiness and the quality of discharge teaching. Methods: A total of 99 patients after breast cancer surgery at a regional tertiary medical tumor center in Guangzhou between June 2021 and December 2021 were collected using the convenience sampling method. A general data questionnaire, readiness for hospital discharge scale, and quality of discharge teaching scale were used to conduct a questionnaire survey on the subjects. Results: 83.8% of the patients feel ready for discharge, and the score of discharge readiness was 155.98 ± 28.87. The patients’ content received and the skills in teaching delivery were the influencing factors of discharge readiness. Discharged with a drainage tube was an independent factor of discharge readiness. Conclusions: Readiness for hospital discharge among patients undergoing breast cancer surgery was above medium level, and perfect intervention measures should be formulated for the influencing factors of discharge readiness. Especially, specific executable safeguard measures should be formulated for patients who are discharged early after surgery to promote the safety of home care.