title: Models of Discharge Care in Magnet® Hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to describe how the discharge preparation process is operationalized in Magnet® hospitals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nationally, there are intensive efforts toward improving discharge transitions and reducing readmissions. Discharge preparation is a core hospital function, yet there are few reports of operational models.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive, Web-based survey of 32 Magnet hospitals (64 units) participating in the Readiness Evaluation and Discharge Interventions study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most hospitals have adopted 1 or more national readmission reduction initiatives. Most unit models include several discharge preparation roles; RN case managers, and discharging RNs lead the process. Nearly one-half of units actively screen for readmission risk. More than three-fourths report daily discharge rounds, but less than one-third include the patient and family. More than two-thirds report a follow-up phone call, mostly to assess patient satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnet hospitals operationalize discharge preparation differently. Recommended practices from national discharge initiatives are inconsistently used. RNs play a central role in discharge planning, coordination, and teaching.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Drs Weiss, Bobay, and Hughes), PhD student (Ms Bahr), College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Assistant Professor (Dr Costa), School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bobay
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bahr
authors.forename: Marianne E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Ronda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data