Date of Conferral

7-17-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Miriam Ross

Abstract

High 30-day hospital readmission rates among Black patients remain a healthcare administration problem associated with high costs and poor care quality. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify evidence-based discharge planning strategies to reduce hospital readmissions among Black patients. The review question was used to examine strategies healthcare administrators can implement to enhance discharge planning for Black patients. Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome model guided the review. A literature search yielded 87 relevant articles; 27 articles published from 2021 through 2026 were appraised using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, and 25 were used in this review. Thematic analysis resulted in four main themes: provide patient-centered discharge planning; foster coordinated communication; facilitate discharge education and medication safety; and promote standardization of discharge processes. Thematic analysis revealed 10 subthemes, including: facilitate individualized planning, address cultural sensitivity, improve interdisciplinary communication, integrate coordinated discharge planning and care transitions, and provide condition-specific discharge education. Four recommendations emerged: provide patient-centered education, utilize an interdisciplinary approach, standardize discharge planning processes, and foster leadership engagement. Findings suggested that targeted discharge planning strategies aligned with Donabedian’s model may decrease readmissions among Black patients, improve care quality, reduce costs, and advance positive social change for patients, communities, and acute care hospitals.

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