Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

11-2015

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing

Source Publication

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Source ISSN

0309-2402

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1111/jan.12731

Abstract

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale for older people and to reduce the scale to a more practical short form.

Background

The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale is the only available and validated scale measuring patients' perceived readiness just prior to discharge.

Design

Secondary analysis of hospital studies data from three countries.

Method

Data were collected between 2008–2012. The study sample comprised 998 medical-surgical older patients. Factor analysis was undertaken to identify the factor structure of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale. Group comparisons for construct validity and predictive validity for readmission were also conducted.

Results

The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale original four factor solution does not appear to be consistent with the observed data of older people in the three countries. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a 17-item scale with three factors produced the best model fit. Nine items, three from each factor, loaded consistently on their respective factors in each country sample. Confirmatory factor analysis of this short form model indicated that the model adequately fit the data. Patients who lived alone, were older, or who indicated ‘not ready’ for discharge had lower Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale for Older People scores, which were also associated with readmission risk.

Conclusion

The revised three factor structure of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale for Older People in long and short forms more adequately assesses core components of discharge readiness in the older adult population than the original adult form.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 71, No. 11 (November 2015): 2686–2696. DOI. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Used with permission.

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Nursing Commons

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