Discharge planning. A study of nursing staff involvement

Discharge planning places the nurse in a pivotal position in the care process. In this study, although most nurses acknowledged the importance of a nursing leadership role in the discharge-planning process, many were confused about how discharge planning was accomplished in their hospitals. Feedback about effectiveness of discharge planning was almost nonexistent, and resources were not easily accessible. Nurses must become more effective in this role. Nursing administrators must establish organization mechanisms to encourage nursing participation in discharge planning, and provide ongoing support.