Discharge planning, nursing home placement, and the internet
(2005, March). Discharge planning, nursing home placement, and the internet. Nursing Outlook, 53(2), pp.95-103.
Abstract
This study found that patients, families, friends, and physicians are all involved in the discharge planning process along with discharge planners and/or case managers. Discharge planners/case managers were generally concerned about NH bed availability, geographic location, and financial considerations. Although the discharge planners and case managers were able to articulate important indicators of quality in NHs, such information was not routinely considered during discharge planning activities.
Discharge planners and case managers need to play a more central role in the decisionmaking process related to the selection of a NH, especially because decisions are time-limited and can benefit from a well-planned discharge planning program that uses a variety of data on quality and costs. The widespread use of Internet-based information sources can be expanded to aid this process.
Obtain the Full Version
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00296554
PDF reprinted with permission from Elsevier.