Assessing the impact of delayed discharge on acute care.

This study examined the incidence of delayed discharge in three acute treatment wards. Of 118 admissions during the eight-week study period, 13.5 per cent (n = 16) were categorised as 'inappropriately located' by the study tool. The staff cited lack of rehabilitative facilities or care of the elderly facilities as reasons for patients' inappropriate stay in the acute ward. The authors recommend that healthcare professionals and social services departments liaise more closely to reduce the incidence of delayed discharge and allow these patients to return to the community whenever feasible.