Identifying Critical Factors in Determining Discharge Readiness from Skilled Home Health: An Interprofessional Perspective.

Abstract

A lack of readiness for discharge from skilled home health can result in adverse events among older adults. The purpose of the current study was to explore interprofessional home health clinician perceptions of the factors they consider important to determine readiness for discharge among skilled home health recipients. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using four focus groups among 32 interprofessional clinicians from one large skilled home health agency and two telephone interviews with home visiting physicians. A semi-structured interview guide was followed. Qualitative content analysis was used for manifest coding and then thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: (a) patient safety, (b) long-term plan is in place, (c) reached maximum self-care potential, (d) presence of a willing and able caregiver, and (e) patient attributes. The goal of this line of inquiry is to develop an evidence-based home health discharge decision support tool to provide a standardized approach in determining readiness for discharge from skilled home health services. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2016; 9(6):269-277.].