Which reasons do doctors, nurses, and patients have for hospital discharge? A mixed-methods study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The decision to discharge a patient from a hospital is a complex process governed by many medical and non-medical factors, while the actual reasons for discharge frequently remain ill-defined.

Aim

To define relevant discharge criteria as perceived by doctors, nurses and patients for the development of a standard hospital discharge policy, we collected actual reasons and most pivotal medical and organisational criteria for discharge among all stakeholders.

Setting

A tertiary referral university teaching hospital.

Methods

We conducted a mixed methods analysis, using patient questionnaires, interviews and a focus group with caregivers, and observations during the daily rounds of doctors, nurses and patients during their hospital stay. Fourteen wards of

SUBMITTER: Ubbink DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3953385 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature