Examining the challenges of hospital discharge for patients with a urinary catheter.

Abstract

Patient discharge between acute and secondary care will be viewed differently based on the stakeholder groups involved. Examining these different perceptions may help improve the discharge process and the patient journey from hospital to home. To determine the perceptions of community and hospital nursing staff regarding the challenges that exist with the general hospital discharge process for patients with a urinary catheter. A survey was created and sent to a wide range of acute and community nurses and the subscriber list of Journal of Community Nursing, Journal of General Practice Nursing and Wound Care Today. Compared with hospital staff, the opinions of community staff were more negative around the discharge process and post-discharge care and materials. Results of this survey provide insight into the perceptions of nursing staff into general patient discharge for those with a urinary catheter and help identify the challenges that exist on the patient journey from hospital to home.