Influencing factors of readiness for discharge of elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Ruyu Liao
, Lili Chen, Shanhong Liu, Yuanyuan Liu, Yue Yang, Lan Chen
Department of Orthopaedics, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
Keywords: Elderly patients, influencing factors, osteoporosis, readiness for discharge, vertebral fracture.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the current status of discharge readiness in elderly osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) patients and to analyze the factors influencing it, providing a basis for the development of personalized discharge plans and interventions.
Patients and methods: Between January 2025 and April 2025, a total of 356 elderly OVCF patients (141 males, 215 females; mean age: 72.9±8.4 years; range, 60 to 98 years) were included. The following data were collected: general information, the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS), and the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were employed to further analyze factors related to discharge readiness and the correlation between discharge readiness and the quality of discharge guidance.
Results: The mean total score of discharge readiness of elderly OVCF patients was 87.53±16.90, and the mean score of each item was 7.30±1.41. The quality of discharge guidance was 166.16±25.95 and the mean score of each item was 6.92±1.08. Discharge readiness of elderly OVCF patients was positively correlated with the quality of discharge guidance (r=0.354, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that sex, age, length of stay in hospital, marital status, comorbidities, admission mode, and quality of discharge guidance were independent factors of discharge readiness in elderly OVCF patients (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The readiness for discharge and the quality of discharge guidance of elderly OVCF patients need further improvement. Healthcare professionals should strengthen the patients' readiness for discharge as early as possible after admission according to the patient's actual conditions, to help them smoothly achieve the transition from hospital to home.
Citation: Liao R, Chen L, Liu S, Liu Y, Yang Y, Chen L. Influencing factors of readiness for discharge of elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2026;37(1):i-x. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2026.2446.