Discovery of the discharge process: a study of patient discharge from a care unit for elderly people.

Patient discharge is not a new research topic. Numerous studies have shown patients do not always receive the services they need on leaving hospital. The purpose of this study was to examine the process of discharge and move away from the snapshot study of discharge outcomes. Interviews were undertaken with elderly patients, their carers and the hospital and community staff involved in their care. A content analysis of the data revealed a distinctive discharge process which started with admission and ended with the patient leaving hospital. Discharge planning was highlighted as a separate component of this process. A number of examples are examined of how vulnerable to breakdown patient discharge can be.