title: Discharge practices for the intensive care patient: a qualitative exploration in the general ward setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how registered nurses (RNs) in the general ward perceive discharge processes and practices for patients recently discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patients discharged from the ICU environment often require complicated and multifaceted care. The ward-based RN is at the forefront of the care of this fragile patient population, yet their views and perceptions have seldom been explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative grounded theory design was used to guide focus group interviews with the RN participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five semi-structured focus group interviews, including 27 RN participants, were conducted in an Australian metropolitan tertiary referral hospital in 2011. Data analyses of transcripts, field notes and memos used concurrent data generation, constant comparative analysis and theoretical sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results yielded a core category of 'two worlds' stressing the disconnectedness between ICU and the ward setting. This category was divided into sub categories of 'communication disconnect' and 'remember the family'. Properties of 'what we say', 'what we write', 'transfer' and 'information needs' respectively were developed within those sub-categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The discharge process for patients within the ICU setting is complicated and largely underappreciated. There are fundamental, misunderstood differences in prioritisation and care of patients between the areas, with a deep understanding of practice requirements of ward based RNs not being understood. The findings of this research may be used to facilitate inter departmental communications and progress practice development.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. Electronic address: stephiecognet@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cognet
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: f.coyer@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Discharge planning; Intensive care nursing; Patient safety; Patient transfer