Complications in discharge planning with Medicare patients

Discharge planning is a complex professional task that affects hospital fiscal health and the quality of posthospital care. A study of discharge planning found that social workers encounter many complications in working with patients, families, other professionals, and service providers in arranging posthospital care. The study found that several complications are associated with delays in discharge and less adequate discharge plans, assessed by social workers at the time the patient is leaving acute care and by the patient 1 month posthospitalization. Results suggest the importance of various skills for social workers in acute medical care.