Understanding the hospital discharge planning process for medical patients with dementia

Background: Poor hospital discharge processes can result in the readmission of patients and potentially increase the stress levels of carers. Therefore, this study sought to understand the factors related to the discharge planning process for patients with dementia.

Methods: The researchers interviewed 32 carers of patients with dementia and 20 hospital staff who worked on medical wards in a United Kingdom (UK) hospital. The semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically using a systems theory (patient–carer–staff relationships, hospital equipment and policies).

Results: The findings indicated that the following factors could either have a positive or negative impact on discharge planning: patient (e.g. cognitive capacity), carer (e.g. preconceived ideas about care homes), staff (e.g. communication skills), policy (e.g. procedures such as discharge meetings), equipment (e.g. type of service provider delivering the equipment) and the wider social context (e.g. availability of specialist dementia beds in care homes).

Conclusion: It is important for hospital staff to adopt a systems perspective and to integrate the different elements of the hospital system when planning for patients’ discharge.