DOI

10.21007/con.dnp.2026.0147

Faculty Advisor

Tracy McClinton, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, HGET-C, EBP-C

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-1-2026

Disciplines

Health and Medical Administration | Investigative Techniques | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing | Nursing Administration | Quality Improvement

Abstract

Purpose/Background

Transitioning children with a chronic medical condition from hospital to home is a critical and difficult process, leaving many families feeling anxious and unprepared. Nationally, 1 in 7 pediatric patients are readmitted within thirty days, making readmission rates an important quality indicator with both clinical and financial implications. To address these challenges, multiple discharge bundles have been developed; however, their effectiveness has not been consistently evaluated. The aim of this project is to summarize the current literature and highlight its positive outcomes, with the intention of promoting further research, reducing 30-day readmission rates, and increasing parental satisfaction (Shermont et al., 2016).

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was performed, and peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 were included. Studies involving pediatric patients with chronic conditions that evaluated discharge education bundles or post-discharge phone calls and reported readmissions were included. Articles focused on adults or lacking full text were excluded. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were charted using a standardized extraction table that showed study design, sample characteristics, interventions, and outcomes related to readmission rates, adverse events, and caregiver satisfaction. Findings were analyzed and summarized to identify key discharge interventions, outcomes related to readmission rates and caregiver satisfaction, and gaps in the current evidence.

Results

Seven of the ten studies demonstrated a reduction in 30-day hospital readmission rates following implementation of structured discharge education bundles or post-discharge follow-up phone calls (Shermont et al., 2016; Flippo et al., 2015; Osorio et al., 2021; Huth et al., 2023). Several also reported decreased post-discharge adverse events and improved caregiver satisfaction and preparedness (Hamline et al., 2018; Teufel et al., 2018; Lerret et al., 2020; Jubic et al., 2021). Despite variability in interventions and study design, overall findings showed consistent positive outcomes associated with structured discharge interventions in pediatric patients with chronic medical conditions.

Implications for Nursing Practice

This scoping review indicates that the implementation of a standardized discharge education bundle can reduce thirty-day readmission rates for pediatric patients with chronic medical conditions and increase satisfaction of the discharge process by parents.

 

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