Hospital discharge destination decisions: exploring congruence in frail elders, their family members, and health care teams' decisions

Abstract

This study used a mixed method design to explore congruence about the discharge destination decision of hospitalized frail older adults, their family members, and health care team members (HCTM). There was no common pattern of preferred level of participation (LOP) in discharge destination decisions, either among individuals, or in the triad. Congruence in the discharge destination occurred in the triad regardless of whether or not individual participants obtained their preferred LOP. There was more congruence with discharge destination decisions (a) in those triads that demonstrated ongoing communication with one another, (b) in which there was not a perceived safety issue for the older adult, (c) when post hospital care was not medically complex, and (d) when the older adults were returning to an environment of their choice.