Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD)

The SAFER-f Patient Flow Bundle is a combined set of best practices for inpatient units to use to improve patient flow, prevent unnecessary waiting for patients, decrease length of stay, and improve patient outcomes. If all elements of the SAFER-f Patient Flow Bundle are undertaken on a regular basis, patient care experiences will be improved by reducing unnecessary waiting. 

SAFER-f is an acronym for these best practices with “A” representing All Patients. Part of the best practice with All Patients is that all patients will have an EDD set within 24 hours of admission to an inpatient unit. Additional information, including the standard work for All Patients, can be found on the SAFER-f Library Guide  A = All Patients - SAFER-f Patient Flow Medicine Bundle 

One way to effectively communicate EDD with patients is through the 4 Qs.

The 4 Qs include:

• Does the patient know why they are in the hospital?
• Does the patient know when they are going home?
• Does the patient know what tests or treatments they are having today?
• Does the patient know if they will see a doctor today?

Through team communication and rounding methods such as patient bedside or Bullet Rounds, health care teams should have this information readily available to provide patients. Lack of clarity on the answers to any one of these four questions can result in delays, frustration, and confusion for the patient/essential care partners/families. Inpatients’ admission experience should focus on their involvement and personal control, and knowing and understanding what to expect during their admission.

Resources

Please refer to the following document for more information on the 4 Qs Health Care Provider Information Sheet: 

Information on the entire SAFER-f Patient Flow Bundle can be found on the SAFER-f Library Guide: