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Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

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<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> & <strong>Midwifery</strong>, <strong>Trinity</strong> College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research <strong>Conference</strong><br />

Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007<br />

<strong>Conference</strong> <strong>Proceedings</strong><br />

Back to contents page<br />

Discharge Planning: Role <strong>of</strong> Discharge-Coordinators<br />

Mary Rose Day, MA BSc, Dip PHN, Dip Mang, RM RGN.<br />

College Lecturer<br />

Catherine McAuley <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> and <strong>Midwifery</strong>,<br />

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex,<br />

National University <strong>of</strong> Ireland, Cork,<br />

Ireland mr.day@ucc.ie Tel: 0214901473 Fax: 0214901493<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Geraldine McCarthy PhD, MSN, MEd, Dip <strong>Nursing</strong>, RNT,<br />

RGN<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor & Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>School</strong>,<br />

Catherine McAuley <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> and <strong>Midwifery</strong>,<br />

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex,<br />

National University <strong>of</strong> Ireland, Cork,<br />

Ireland<br />

g.mccarthy@ucc.ie Tel: 0214901553<br />

Alice C<strong>of</strong>fey BA, Med, RNT, RM, RGN,<br />

College Lecturer,<br />

Catherine McAuley <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> and <strong>Midwifery</strong>,<br />

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex,<br />

National University <strong>of</strong> Ireland, Cork,<br />

Ireland<br />

a.c<strong>of</strong>fey@ucc.ie Tel: 0214901459<br />

Abstract<br />

Changes in systems <strong>of</strong> care and changes in patient populations have<br />

contributed to the emergence <strong>of</strong> discharge planning as a complex<br />

area <strong>of</strong> practice (Cannaby Parker & Baker, 2003; Central Statistics<br />

Office, 2006). A major causal factor in delayed discharge is not the<br />

individual needs <strong>of</strong> the patient, but the process and efficiency <strong>of</strong><br />

current discharge planning systems, limited range <strong>of</strong> community<br />

based services and supports available to support discharge and the<br />

lack <strong>of</strong> a whole systems approach (Health Service Executive, 2007).<br />

The aim <strong>of</strong> this study was to describe the role <strong>of</strong> the discharge coordinator<br />

from the perspective <strong>of</strong> discharge co-ordinators and<br />

through documentary review. An exploratory descriptive research<br />

design was used. A convenience sample <strong>of</strong> six nurses who coordinate<br />

patient discharges in a variety <strong>of</strong> health care settings<br />

participated in guided interviews which were tape recorded,<br />

transcribed and thematically analysed. A review <strong>of</strong> documents<br />

pertaining to the role was also conducted.<br />

The role <strong>of</strong> discharge co-ordinators is multifaceted mainly dealing<br />

with complex cases. Discharge co-ordinators role included<br />

assessment, communication and liaison, multidisciplinary and multi-<br />

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