Semester of Graduation
Spring 2027
Degree Name
Masters in Nursing
Department
WellStar School of Nursing
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Modupe Akintomide
Abstract
Hospital readmissions are a persistent quality and cost burden to the healthcare system, prompting evaluation of modern strategies to strengthen transitional care. This integrative review synthesized findings from thirteen studies published between 2011 and 2025 to assess the effectiveness of virtual discharge interventions in reducing readmission rates among adult patients. Virtual discharge interventions included programs utilizing technology, such as phone calls, video visits, apps, or remote monitoring, to help patients understand their care and improve positive outcomes. Many of these studies showed that virtual support can reduce hospital readmissions, especially for people with heart failure. Some programs also improved patients’ understanding of their medications and deterioration warning signs. Despite promising findings, generalizability was constrained by some intervention designs, inconsistent outcome measures, and limited sample sizes. High-quality, multi-site RCTs are needed to clarify the comparative effectiveness and scalability of virtual discharge models. Overall, virtual discharge support appears to be a promising way to help patients feel more confident, supported, and prepared after leaving the hospital.