Katrina M Romagnoli|Steven M. Handler|Frank M. Ligons|Harry Hochheiser
Home-care nurses’ perceptions of unmet information needs and communication difficulties of older patients in the immediate post-hospital discharge period
University of Pittsburgh|University of Pittsburgh|Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center|VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System|University of Pittsburgh|University of Pittsburgh
understand homecare nurses perceptions posthospitalisation information needs communication problems older patients factors might contribute undesirable outcomes including poor patient reintegration prior living environments unplanned hospital readmissionsa ranked list information needs experienced patients developed two nominal group technique ngt sessions perspective homecare nurses list combined results previously published work develop webbased survey administered homecare nurses elicit perceptions patients posthospitalisation information needsseventeen nurses participated ngt sessions producing list 28 challenges grouped five themes medications diseasecondition nonmedication caretreatmentsafety functional limitations communication problems survey sent 220 homecare nurses 541 119220 response rate respondents identified several frequent highimpact information communication needs received little attention readmission literature including information medication regimens severity condition hospital discharge management process nonmedication care regimens wound care use durable medical equipment home safety extent care needed providers best suited provide care responses also identified several communication difficulties may play role readmissionsinformation needs communication problems identified homecare nurses expanded upon reinforced results prior studies results might used develop interventions may improve information sharing among clinicians patients caregivers care transitions ensure patient reintegration prior living environments potentially preventing unplanned hospital readmissions