Abstract
PURPOSE: This study evaluated readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) among ophthalmic day surgery patients and identified psychosocial factors associated with RHD to inform clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 281 adults undergoing elective ophthalmic day surgery at West China Hospital, Sichuan University (December 2024-March 2025), were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) to evaluate discharge readiness among ophthalmic day surgery patients under a rapid-turnover model, the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS), and the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). Univariate analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to examine factors associated with RHD. RESULTS: The mean total RHDS score was 99.48 ± 13.35, with an average item score of 8.29 ± 1.11. Expected support had the highest mean dimension score was for expected support (8.76 ± 1.62), followed by personal status (8.42 ± 1.63) and coping ability (7.99 ± 1.11). Univariate analysis showed that sex, marital status, place of residence, comorbid chronic diseases, low vision at admission, type of surgery, and requirement for special postoperative positioning significantly affected RHDS scores (all P < 0.05). RHDS was weakly correlated with health literacy (r = 0.218, P < 0.01) and moderately correlated with quality of discharge teaching (r = 0.500, P < 0.01). Quality of discharge teaching (skills and effectiveness), health literacy (ability to use written health information), rural residence, male sex, low vision at admission, and requirement for special postoperative positioning were identified as main factors associated with RHDS (R(2) = 0.456, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adult ophthalmic day surgery patients demonstrated relatively high RHD, although coping ability was comparatively weaker and requires further attention. Clinicians should pay particular attention to rural residents, women, patients with low vision, and those requiring special postoperative positioning. Improving discharge teaching and health literacy may further enhance RHD.