<![CDATA[Discharge planning is a structured, multidisciplinary process designed to support safe transitions from hospital care to home or other continuing care settings. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the relationship between discharge planning interventions, hospital length of stay (LOS), and readmission among hospitalized patients, while identifying contextual factors that may influence intervention effectiveness. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. Quantitative, qualitative, and quality-improvement studies addressing discharge planning and relevant discharge outcomes were considered. Thirteen studies were included. Most quantitative studies reported favorable effects of structured, multidisciplinary, or individualized discharge planning on hospital LOS, while findings for readmission were more heterogeneous. Ten studies reported reductions in LOS, and eight reported reductions in readmission. Qualitative evidence emphasized the importance of effective communication, discharge readiness, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient and caregiver involvement, and continuity of care during the transition from hospital to home. The effectiveness of discharge planning appeared to vary according to patient characteristics, clinical complexity, intervention components, timing, organizational context, and post-discharge support. Overall, structured and patient-centered discharge planning may improve discharge efficiency and support safer care transitions. Implementation should be individualized according to patient risk and clinical needs, supported by multidisciplinary coordination, active family engagement, and continuity of post-discharge care. Further prospective and implementation studies are needed to identify the most effective discharge planning components across patient populations and healthcare settings]]>
