Improving hospital patient flow is important to optimize the use of limited healthcare resources efficiently, minimize iatrogenic adverse events, and it may ensure patient-centered care. One of the barriers to discharge is communication problems between the treating team and the patients or their families, regarding the discharge date or destination. This information is typically relayed verbally.
This article is a ‘before-after’ study of patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary ward-based clinical team. In a study carried out in Australia, the objective was to determine patient’s and family’s knowledge of important discharge planning information and whether a bedside ‘Leaving Hospital Information Sheet’ containing discharge information could improve their knowledge. Study design Study setting Routine practice on the ward was for a key clinician (medical, nursing or allied…
