The Practice of IT-Based Discharge Communication in General Surgery Wards at The Kenyatta National Hospital

Authors

  • Agneta Kandie Chelimo Kenyatta National Hospital
  • Nancy Gachoki Kenyatta National Hospital
  • Dr. Lydia Okutoyi  Kenyatta National Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55077/edithcowanjournalofmedicinenursingandpublichealth.v5i1.50

Keywords:

IT-based discharge communication practices, patient health outcomes, surgery wards, Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: The current study sought to investigate the practice of IT-based discharge communication in general surgery wards at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methodology: The study used the descriptive research design approach. A stratified sampling technique was used to recruit 180 patients who had been discharged in the last one month prior to the study from surgical wards namely General surgery ward, Urology ward and Neurology ward. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data with the use of SPSS version 25.

Results: The findings revealed that there is a significant difference between the mean responses of the patients in General surgery ward and Neurology ward (-.299*, P= 0.001). Likewise, there is a significant difference between the mean responses of the patients in Urology ward and General surgery ward (-.417*, P= 0.000). The correlation findings indicated that there is a positive and significant association between IT-based discharge communication practices and patient health outcomes at KNH (r=0.533**, p=0.000). This was supported by the regression findings that indicated that IT-based discharge communication practices have a positive and significant effect on patient health outcomes at KNH (β = 0.305, p=0.000). This implies that improvement in 1 unit of IT-based discharge communication practices leads to an improvement in patient health outcomes at KNH by 0.305 units (vice versa is also true).

Unique contributions to theory, policy and practice: Since, well-designed and implemented IT systems increase communication, coordination, and knowledge retention, resulting in better results for discharged patients, their families, caregivers, and primary healthcare professionals, Kenyan hospitals are encouraged to pursue the IT direction and put into practice the best IT-based communication infrastructure for current and future quality service delivery

Author Biographies

Agneta Kandie Chelimo, Kenyatta National Hospital

BScN. -UEA Baraton |KRPON- KNH| MPH- K.U| ISQua|Lean six sigma Green Belt.

 Standards & Process improvement-KNH

Nancy Gachoki, Kenyatta National Hospital

BScN; Ward 5D Manager-KNH

Dr. Lydia Okutoyi , Kenyatta National Hospital

MBChB | MMEd Obsgyne UONairobi | MPH UORoehampton|

PGDHM Strathmore – Neulhum |SQIL Harvards | ISQua

Director Health Care Quality KNH

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Published

2022-09-08

How to Cite

Kandie Chelimo, A. ., Gachoki, N. ., & Okutoyi,D.L. . (2022). The Practice of IT-Based Discharge Communication in General Surgery Wards at The Kenyatta National Hospital. Edith Cowan Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.55077/edithcowanjournalofmedicinenursingandpublichealth.v5i1.50

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Articles