Individualized discharge planning in rib fracture patients with different severity of lung injury

Patients included in control group received standard conservative treatment during hospitalization

Discharge planning is designed to ensure healthcare continuity, avoid preventable poor outcomes among at-risk populations, and promote the safe and timely transfer of patient care. The individualized discharge planning is characterized to take into account the preferences, interests and clinical profile of each patient.

This score was assessed the progression of the lung injury and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The final value was obtained by dividing the sum of the variables used: no injury (LIS=0), mild to moderate (LIS≥0.1), severe (LIS>2.5). We were allocated with a cutoff in the score of LIS.

This measure contains two sections, a descriptive questionnaire about health impairment and a numerical scale about health status perception. The descriptive section includes five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Each dimension is categorized into three levels of functioning for each of the five dimensions. The numerical scale ranges from 0 (defined as the worst imaginable health state) to 100 (defined as the best imaginable health state

The Barthel Index assesses the level of dependence required by patient to perform the activities. The item scores are totaled which may vary from 0 (total dependence) to 100 (fully independent).

It comprises a 10-item scale with a score between 0 and 40, with a higher score correlating with a greater likelihood of discharge complications and length of stay.

A score of 0-10 identifies patients at low risk for complications, 11-20 identifies those requiring discharge planning, and scores above 20 indicate patients who require extensive discharge planning.