The Negative Impact of Delayed Hospital Discharges
People who require continuous care following a hospital stay, such as skilled nursing or home-based therapy, are increasingly facing delays in receiving these vital services. These hold-ups, which occur as people transition through various stages of care, can negatively impact health outcomes and slow recovery, reducing overall quality of life. Furthermore, these delays place a significant burden on hospitals and health systems. They are left to cover the costs of extended care without sufficient reimbursement, adding to the financial strain. This issue is further compounded by the additional pressure it places on an overextended healthcare workforce.
Before discussing hospital discharge delays, we must first address hospital admissions. How aware are people of the reasons for their admission and their right to a follow-up discharge plan? We conducted a survey to hear what families, commissioners and support workers had to say about the current state and challenges of the UK health and social care system. This survey was our primary motivation for publishing our first White Paper.
Catalyst Care Group’s White Paper Results:
Our exploration into the matter of hospital admissions revealed some concerning findings. A significant majority, over 62% of respondents, reported not being provided with information regarding the reasons for their hospital detention. Furthermore, they were not given a suitable discharge plan. This lack of communication and planning raises serious questions about the transparency and effectiveness of mental health care systems. It underscores the urgent need for improvements in discharge planning to ensure people are fully informed, educated and prepared.
These challenges can take a severe toll on people’s mental and physical health; they can also seriously impact the workforce and care professionals.
To learn more, download our White Paper and discover the true impact of delayed discharge.
White Paper Publication 2023
Download the White Paper Publication and stay up to date with the current state of the UK health and social care sector.
Health Risks Associated with Prolonged Hospital Stays
In the UK, a silent crisis is unfolding within the walls of its hospitals. People are staying in hospitals for extended periods and are unknowingly exposed to numerous health risks. These risks can affect everyone, from older adults to young adults and children, increasing susceptibility to infections and leading to mental or physical decline.
Some of the critical health risks associated with prolonged hospital stays are:
Sleep deprivation
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)
Increased poor outcomes
Mental and physical deconditioning (affecting mobility, strength, and cognitive awareness)
Increased mortality
Disruption of patient flow and access to care
This is a pressing issue that demands our attention, as each year, according to NHS, nearly 350,000 care recipients find themselves in hospital for more than three weeks. We must ask ourselves, “What can be done to mitigate these risks and ensure people’s health and safety?“
Catalyst Care Group White Paper Survey 2024
Take the opportunity to share your voice, perspectives and personal experiences. We invite you to participate in our survey to help reshape the future of health and social care, ensuring better services and outcomes for everyone.
Emotional Toll on Patients and Families
Based on the responses in our White Paper, care recipients shared the following about the impact of delayed discharge on their mental health:
45%
experienced trauma
75%
felt stressed, anxious and depressed
75%
experienced a lack of trust in care professionals
90%
experienced isolation
Also, people reported that lack of high-quality care, communication, and community provision were the main barriers they faced when experiencing delayed hospital discharge.
The emotional toll of delayed hospital discharges extends to families as well. Feelings of isolation and abandonment can pervade, negatively influencing their emotional health. Moreover, the financial implications of these delays can add to the emotional distress experienced by families. Hospital discharge delays can result in families experiencing heightened anxiety, worry, social isolation, and a sense of disconnection. These factors can significantly impact the overall mental and emotional well-being of everyone involved.
Factors Contributing to Delayed Hospital Discharges
Hospital discharges represent a pivotal moment in people’s healthcare journey. They signify the shift from hospital-based care to recovery and rehabilitation in their own home or alternative care settings. So, when these discharges are delayed, it can create a domino effect of challenges that negatively impact a person’s life, their family, and the broader healthcare system.
The causes behind these delays are complex and multifaceted, ranging from internal hospital processes to person-specific challenges and broader systemic limits. Here are some of the key factors contributing to delayed hospital discharges:
Factors Related to Hospital Capacity and Processes: The primary cause of discharge delays often stems from hospital processes, such as the time for additional tests or the release of test results. These issues could be addressed through interventions by the care team or management. Moreover, factors like high hospital bed occupancy and overextended community services also play a role in discharge delays.
Factors at the Systemic Level: The structure of the healthcare system also contributes to discharge delays. Long waiting lists for long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centres, or other post-acute care services and the funding structure of hospitals and healthcare systems can lead to delayed discharges.
⇒ Our White Paper explored the personal experiences of people experiencing delayed discharge. The results show that 66.7% of people found the setting unsupportive, 22.2% felt neutral, and only 11.1% had a positive experience.
The Role of Home Community Services
The transition from hospital to home is an important period. Without proper management, it can lead to prolonged hospital stays, unnecessary strain on healthcare resources, and potential setbacks in the person’s recovery. Home care and community support are crucial services that enhance people’s quality of life. They help people live in the comfort of their own homes or supported living environments, surrounded by the people they love.
Local authorities and families seek social care providers who deliver person-centred services to ensure a seamless transition from hospital to home, thereby minimising the time people spend in hospital settings.
The impact of these services on people’s lives is profound, fostering a sense of independence and dignity in people. By receiving care in their homes or supported living environments, people can maintain their daily routines, engage with their communities, and live on their own terms.
Moreover, the comfort of being in one’s home, surrounded by familiar settings and loved ones, cannot be overstated. Home is where memories are made, personal history resides, and people feel most secure.
⇒ Learn more about how health and social care providers can demonstrate value to case commissioners.
Strategies to Address Delayed Hospital Discharges
Delayed hospital discharges pose a significant challenge, often leading to strained resources and compromised patient care. But what if there were effective strategies to reduce discharge delays? From enhanced communication and early discharge planning to the impactful role of community care, the options are shifting.
The following innovative strategies address the issue of delayed discharge while revolutionising the entire discharge process:
Early Discharge Planning: Discharge planning should begin at the earliest possible stage, ideally during admission covered by an integrated care system empowering collaboration at the heart of the planning. This allows sufficient time to address any potential concerns and arrange for necessary post-discharge care.
4. Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services: Comprehensive, home-based therapy and rehabilitation services can prevent hospital readmission and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other therapeutic interventions.
2. Home and Community Services: Home care and community services ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home, providing necessary care and support in the comfort of the person’s home.
3. Rapid Response Services: Rapid response services can speed up the discharge process by providing immediate, high-quality care at home. The service reduces the length of hospital stays and ensures that people receive the right care in the right place.
5. Supported Living Environments: For people who require more intensive support, supported living environments can provide a viable alternative to prolonged hospital stays. We have our own supported living accommodations located in Birmingham, with well-trained support workers who provide personalised care and promote independence and personal choice.
Reducing Delayed Hospital Discharges with Leaf Complex Care
At Leaf Complex Care, we understand that the transition from hospital to home can be a challenging time. That’s why we developed a Rapid Response Service that supports the discharge process by providing immediate, high-quality care at home. Our Rapid Response team works closely with hospital teams, people and their families, and other stakeholders to coordinate and deliver personalised care plans. They do this with one aim in mind – for people to receive the care they need in the right place – their homes.
⇒ Leaf Complex Care’s Rapid Response team ensures people get the right care in place within 4-6 hours of the initial call, depending on the provided location.
In addition to our Rapid Response Service, we also have a dedicated therapy team. This team comprises experienced therapists who work collaboratively with our support workers to provide comprehensive, in-house therapy services, ranging from Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Occupational therapy and Speech and Language therapy.
Our therapy team is crucial in ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home by meeting people’s unique needs and preferences. They provide personalised therapeutic interventions that promote recovery, enhance the quality of life, and prevent rehospitalisation. Their approach prioritises the PERMA Model of Well-Being and Capable Environments for people who require complex care.
We believe that home and community settings are the best places for recovery. Our services ensure that people can recover in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Where you can find us: Bristol, South East, Birmingham and Somerset.
