Critical care nurses' beliefs about the discharge planning process: a questionnaire survey.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the beliefs of critical care nurses with regard to the discharge planning process, in Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
An exploratory descriptive design was used. A total of 502 Victorian critical care nurses were approached to take part in the study. A total of 218 eligible participants completed the survey, which represented a net response rate of 43.4%. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
The current discharge planning processes are ad hoc and influenced by patient acuity. Critical care nurses believe that workload issues, unplanned discharges and inadequate communication contribute to difficulties implementing the discharge plan.
Epworth/Deakin Nursing Research Centre, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125, Australia. rjwatts@deakin.edu.au
Rosemary
R
Watts
Jane
J
Pierson
Heather
H
Gardner
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D016526:Workload