title: Staff perception of patient discharge from ICU to ward-based care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The quality of information exchange between intensive care unit (ICU) and ward nurses, when patients are transferred out of intensive care, is important to the continuity of safe care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This research aimed to explore nurses' experiences of the discharge process from ICU to the ward environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a New Zealand Metropolitan hospital, using an exploratory descriptive design we adapted a questionnaire based on Whittaker and Ball's research on ICU patient handover.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaires were then analysed using a descriptive thematic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate of 48% included 45 ICU and 47 ward nurses. Key findings were that the written and verbal communication needs differ dependent upon setting and the timing of a discharge. Timing of handover also requires negotiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Being able to negotiate the timing and nature of handover is important for nurses. In addition, standardized approaches to communication are believed to enhance patient safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardized handover, with content and processes that are mutually negotiated, is crucial to providing the safest environment for patients.
authors.affiliation: S James, Charge Nurse Manager, Intensive Care Unit, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quirke
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McBride-Henry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003142:Communication; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D062209:Patient Handoff / Q000592:standards; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers
keywords: Clinical research; Intensive care nurses; Patient transfer from ICU; Qualitative research; Transport/transfer