Evaluating the Effects of Organisational Environment on Patient‐Perceived Hospital Discharge Readiness Among Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction During Public Health Emergencies: An Observational Study

ABSTRACT Aims To evaluate the effects of the organisational environment on hospital discharge readiness during public health emergencies. Design An observational study. Methods A regression‐discontinuity design approach was employed to assess the impact of the organisational environment on hospital discharge readiness. Adult patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and discharged from the Cardiac Critical Care Unit of a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China, were recruited. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the associations between multiple factors at individual and organisational levels and hospital discharge readiness across three stages of pandemic policy changes. Results A total of 411 patients were included in the analysis. The regression‐discontinuity analysis revealed a significant discontinuity at the cut‐off, indicating that policy‐driven changes in the organisational environment during public health emergencies were associated with a 21.61% reduction in hospital discharge readiness. Additionally, family functioning and the quality of nursing discharge education were significantly associated with discharge readiness across all three pandemic stages. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that patient‐perceived hospital discharge readiness is significantly influenced by changes in the organisational environment during public health emergencies. Future research should focus on developing targeted discharge preparation programmes that allow for organisational adaptation in response to emergencies, such as pandemics or natural disasters. Implications for Patient Care Organisational responses to public health emergencies need to prioritise enhancing discharge preparedness. This includes bolstering family involvement and ensuring that nurses are adequately trained to provide effective discharge education, especially when healthcare resources are strained. Impact The findings underscore the importance of adaptable and resilient discharge planning and transitional care, particularly in public health emergencies. Fostering an organisational environment that supports seamless discharge processes can significantly improve patient readiness for post‐hospital care. Reporting Methods Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or Public Contributions.