title: Why do patients with complex palliative care needs experience delayed hospital discharge?
abstract: Patients with complex palliative care needs often experience delays in being discharged from hospital. A clinical audit examined the reasons for this by examining the case notes of 40 patients. Recommendations were made and implemented, and a repeat audit will assess their effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: North Middlesex University Hospital Trust.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramcharan
mesh_terms: D054869:Clinical Audit; D004739:England; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*