‘Transitional Patient Safety’ – Patient safety and patient-centered care in the context of discharge management
- Conditions
- o specific diseases are investigated. The study focuses on process characteristics of the general discharge of patients from inpatient treatment.
- Registration Number
- DRKS00028947
- Lead Sponsor
- Institut für Patientensicherheit, Universitätsklinikum Bonn
- Brief Summary
Introduction The transition between different care contexts, especially during discharge from inpatient treatment to home, is associated with risks for patient safety. Internationally established, the Care Transitions Measure (CTM) is used to assess the quality and safety of this transition from the patients’ perspective. A systematic and standardized assessment of quality and safety in the discharge process from the patients’ perspective has not been possible in German-speaking countries due to the lack of a German adaptation and validation of the CTM. This study aims to translate, adapt, and validate the CTM for use in German-speaking countries Methods The German version of the CTM was developed based on internationally accepted recommendations for translating and adapting questionnaires. Patients of all departments (except pediatric departments) of a German university hospital who were discharged home after at least three days of inpatient treatment received the questionnaire by mail between May and August 2022. A total of 806 patients participated in the survey. The validity of the CTM was tested by factor analyses. For this purpose, different factor models were compared. In addition, the measurement invariance of the instrument was examined. Results The construct validity of the long version of the CTM (15items) with a two-factorial model structure was confirmed with good model fit indices. The two subscales had excellent internal consistency. In addition, the one short version with four items achieved excellent model fit indices and high internal consistency. For the long version of the CTM, measurement invariance was confirmed for all sociodemographic, care-related, and survey response characteristics examined. The measurement invariance of the short version was only partially confirmed. Discussion The validity and reliability of the German version of the CTM were confirmed. In its long version, the instrument is measurement invariant across various characteristics and thus allows valid interpretation of group differences. The short version is partially measurement invariant and is suitable as a screening instrument for assessing the quality and safety of discharge processes due to its high validity and reliability. Conclusions With a validated and standardized German version of the CTM, an instrument is now available to assess the quality and safety of the discharge process from the patients’ perspective. Thus, this study provides an essential tool for systematically investigating and optimizing patient safety in the discharge process.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Complete
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 822
Patients after at least 3 days of inpatient treatment in a clinic
- Discharge to outpatient care or home
- Patients under 18 years of age
- Patients who have been discharged for further inpatient treatment or post-inpatient treatment or follow-up treatment.
- Patients who, for health reasons, are unable to provide self-disclosure in the form of a questionnaire/interview.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The aim of the project is to validate the care transition measure (CTM) for assessment of the quality and safety of discharge from the patient's perspective and the post-discharge coping difficulties scale (PDCDS) for assessment of problems and difficulties at home after discharge in the German language. In addition to factor-analytical tests, correlation analyses with health-related variables will be conducted to test construct and criterion validity. For this purpose, the participants will be surveyed via a self-report questionnaire. <br><br>In addition, findings on wishes and needs as well as the acceptance of digital health applications in the context of discharge from the patients' perspective will be obtained. This information will be obtained via qualitative interviews.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method See Primary Outcome