Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the impact of a goal achievement theory (GAT)-based checklist management model on discharge preparedness in patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).
Method: Sixty patients from the interventional department of a tertiary hospital in Suzhou, undergoing PTBD for the first time and requiring long-term catheter maintenance, were enrolled using convenience sampling. Patients were divided into a control group (n=34), receiving conventional perioperative PTBD care, and an experimental group (n=26), receiving care based on the GAT-based checklist management model. Key outcomes included discharge preparedness scores, patient satisfaction, catheter-related complication rates within 30 days post-discharge, and unplanned readmission rates.
Result: The experimental group had significantly higher discharge readiness scores and satisfaction compared to the control group (P<0.05). Within 30 days post-discharge, the experimental group had a lower incidence of complications such as catheter slippage, blockage, infection, and related skin damage compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference in the unplanned readmission rate was found between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The GAT-based checklist management model can enhance patients' catheter management and self-care abilities, as well as improve their compliance and engagement in disease management. Additionally, this model deepens the communication between patients and healthcare providers, fostering interaction and improving discharge readiness and patient satisfaction. It also reduces the incidence of related complications and the rate of unplanned readmissions.

Key words: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, Goal achievement theory, Discharge preparedness, Checklist management