Background: Despite the development of cardiothoracic surgery, many patients still face some
postoperative complications and difficulties, which can be ameliorated through continues care and
an appropriate discharge plan. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing a discharge
plan on patient outcomes post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Design: A quasi
experimental research design was used in the study. Setting: The study was conducted in the
department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and were completed in Outpatients Cardiothoracic Surgical
Follow up Clinics at Zagazig University Hospital. Subject: A purposive sample of 60 patients were
randomly recruited in this study, which divided into two equal groups, study and control (30
patients in each). Tools: Four tools were utilized for data collection, knowledge assessment
questionnaire, Cardiac Symptoms' Survey, Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale and lab investigation
of lipid profile. Results: The mean scores of knowledge, post-operative symptoms' severity, and
self-care ability at one month and at three months later of the study group were significantly higher
than those of the control group (p <0 .001). Also there were a statistically significant difference of
the mean score of all lipid profile variables between control and study group. Conclusion:
implementing a discharge plan was effective in improving patients' clinical outcomes including
knowledge, post-operative symptoms severity, self-care ability and lipid profile. Recommendation:
Discharge plan for patient undergoing CABG surgery should be implemented in pre and post
surgery, as well as during follow up.