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Nurse-led intermediate care: patients' perceptions
Rose Wiles1, Karen Postle, Andrea Steiner
1Health and Rehabilitation Research Unit, School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. raw@soton.ac.uk
International Journal of Nursing Studies
|January 29, 2003
Summary
Patients found nurse-led intermediate care acceptable, but experiences varied significantly. Understanding these inconsistencies is key to improving post-acute care quality for patients and their families.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Practice
- Gerontology
Background:
- Intermediate care is a UK Government initiative to enhance post-acute care quality.
- Nurse-led units are a key model for delivering intermediate care to non-acutely ill patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patient and carer experiences within a nurse-led intermediate care unit.
- To identify factors contributing to variations in care quality and perceptions of the unit's purpose.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and their carers.
- The study analyzed subjective experiences and perceptions of the intermediate care service.
Main Results:
- Patients generally perceived the intermediate care model as acceptable.
- Significant inconsistencies in care experiences were reported by patients.
- Considerable variation existed in patient and carer understanding of the unit's objectives.
Conclusions:
- While acceptable, nurse-led intermediate care requires attention to ensure consistent quality.
- Addressing variations in patient experience and perceived purpose is crucial for optimizing this care model.
- Further development should focus on standardizing care delivery and communication within intermediate care units.