Post Discharge Phone Call for Communication Barriers

(CONNECT Trial)

Overseen By Kirsten Austad, MD MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Airborne, C diff, Suicide, Cognitive, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to improve patient safety after hospital discharge by addressing communication barriers. It will test an enhanced discharge process that includes an extra educational phone call from a healthcare professional, with translation available if needed. The study focuses on individuals who prefer languages such as Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, or Vietnamese and are being discharged home from Boston Medical Center. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard discharge process or the new Adapted Hospital Discharge Intervention, which includes the additional phone call. This trial may suit those who have struggled to understand discharge instructions due to language barriers. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to improve hospital discharge processes for non-English speakers.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on communication after hospital discharge rather than medication changes.

What prior data suggests that this educational intervention is safe?

Research has shown that helping patients understand their hospital discharge instructions can lead to better health outcomes. Efforts like the one being tested have been linked to fewer hospital readmissions and improved medication use. When patients clearly understand their instructions, they may experience fewer problems after leaving the hospital.

Regarding the safety of this approach, it involves educational phone calls and translated instructions, posing no physical risks. The goal is to provide clearer information, which is generally well-received. No reports of negative effects have emerged from these types of communication efforts.

In summary, this method appears safe, as it primarily focuses on helping patients better understand their discharge instructions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to tackle communication barriers during hospital discharge with an innovative approach. Unlike the standard practice, which only involves giving patients discharge education before they leave the hospital, this trial adds an extra layer by including a post-discharge educational call. This additional call is designed to reinforce the information provided at discharge, ensuring patients understand their care instructions better and reducing the likelihood of hospital readmissions. By improving communication, this approach could lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.

What evidence suggests that this adapted hospital discharge intervention is effective for improving post-discharge outcomes?

This trial will compare an educational intervention with standard care to enhance communication when patients leave the hospital. Research has shown that improving communication can reduce the likelihood of patients needing to return and can help them take their medications correctly. Studies have found that these efforts lead to happier patients, which is crucial for a safe recovery at home. Participants in the educational intervention arm will receive current hospital discharge education and an additional post-discharge educational call. This follow-up can assist patients, especially those with language difficulties or who find medical information hard to understand, in better comprehending their care plans. Evidence supports that better communication at this critical time can greatly improve patient health. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kirsten Austad, MD MPH

Principal Investigator

Boston Medical Center, Family Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients facing communication barriers during hospital discharge, including those with non-English language preference, low health literacy, and the elderly. It aims to improve understanding of discharge instructions.

Inclusion Criteria

My preferred language is Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, or Vietnamese.

Admitted to medicine team at Boston Medical Center (BMC)

Being discharged home (to the community)

Exclusion Criteria

I was discharged from the hospital previously.

A nurse has noted that I show signs of confusion, delirium, or aggression.

On airborne infections precautions at time of recruitment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive post-discharge educational intervention to reinforce written discharge instructions

12 months

Post-discharge educational call

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention success and understanding of discharge instructions

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Adapted Hospital Discharge Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests if an extra educational phone call after leaving the hospital helps prevent issues like medication errors. Some will get this call plus standard care; others just get standard care. The calls are made by nurses or qualified professionals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Educational intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm will receive current hospital discharge education and an additional post-discharge educational call.

Group II: Standard of care Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm will receive current hospital discharge education.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

410

Recruited

890,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8397933/

Interventions to Improve Communication at Hospital ... Communication interventions at discharge were significantly associated with lower readmission rates, higher medication adherence, and higher patient ...

2. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2783547

Interventions to Improve Communication at Hospital ... Communication interventions at discharge were significantly associated with lower readmission rates, higher medication adherence, and higher patient ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24000304

Transforming the discharge conversation through support ... System level demands and interpersonal barriers can disrupt nurse delivery of high-quality information at discharge, which can contribute to a lack of caregiver ...

4. psnet.ahrq.gov psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/communication-during-transitions-care

Communication During Transitions of Care | PSNet This essay showcases these articles, which discussed strategies for healthcare professionals and organizations to mitigate challenges and improve communication.

5. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-025-03394-1

The acquisition and effectiveness of “IDEAL” standards in ... This study aims to examine the improvement of nursing students' discharge education competencies through simulation method aligned with the IDEAL discharge ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10028544/

Assessment of Patient Education Delivered at Time ... This quality improvement study describes whether key communication domains were addressed at the bedside on the day of hospital discharge, by whom, and for how ...