title: Discharge planning: the need for effective communication.
abstract: This article emphasises the need for effective interdisciplinary and interagency communication to ensure a satisfactory transfer of care between hospital and the community. The author highlights some of the policies and guidelines which inform current practice, and examines some of the reasons why care is often fragmented in this important area for patients and their relatives.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D011368:Professional-Family Relations