Patients' and caregivers' transition from hospital to home: needs and recommendations

Given the greatly decreased length of hospital stays, concern about the transition from hospital to home has increased. This descriptive study focused on a sample of hospitalized patients discharged to home with home care services. Patient and caregiver interviews revealed that satisfaction with home care services was positively related to receipt of information from the home care staff about medications, equipment/supplies, and self-care. Caregiver burden was inversely related to receiving this information. Recommendations for improving the transition from hospital to home included providing more information, more reassurance and emotional support, and more household assistance. Several possible methods of implementing these recommendations are proposed.