Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Adult discharge planning and nursing home placement: a study of risk factors for quality assurance
1School of Social Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Objective:
A study of two large groups of patients was conducted in a large general hospital, comparing the admission characteristics of those referred to nursing homes and those returning home, to identify factors on admission that would facilitate more rapid discharge planning and placement.
Method:
Discharge planning at the Royal Brisbane Hospital was analysed over 12 months, comparing the admission characteristics of 191 patients placed in nursing homes with 444 patients returning home.
Results:
Referral of patients to social workers was delayed and poorly co-ordinated, leading to prolongation of the discharge process or placement for nursing home patients. The data indicate that the process can be expedited by attention to readily recognizable factors already present on admission.
Related Concept Videos
Restorative Care
Planning Nursing Care I
Planning Nursing Care II
Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
