THE NURSE AS DISCHARGE PLANNER Discharge planning is that process by which hospitalized clients are provided services that

will allow continuity of care so healing or health maintenance can occur outside the acute care hospital. All clients have discharge planning needs, some more complex than others. The NANB believes that the discharge planner in any health care institution should be a nurse. Discharge planning requires a person who is skilled in accurate assessment, is very well organized, has good communication skills, and is aware of community resources (Harper, 1998). Nurses are well prepared for such a role. Purpose The discharge planner: provides a centralized coordinated service for early identification of clients in need of discharge planning, facilitates the transfer of clients from hospital to community, and reviews and evaluates the utilization of human and physical resources as related to the quality of care. Responsibilities The discharge planner: functions as liaison between patient and community and provides a coordinated referral service to the related health agencies, audits admissions and discharges on a daily basis, to identify clients requiring post-hospital care and begin the process of discharge planning, maintains an ongoing liaison with medical staff in working towards improved use of physical resources, is familiar with and maintains ongoing liaison with community resources, nursing homes, special care homes, and so forth, as related to the clients future needs, ensures that appropriate referrals are made to community service providers and/or Extra Mural program where applicable (New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness, 2002), assists in ongoing reviews of present systems and policies as they relate to hospital resources and to aid in policy formulation of changes deemed necessary, and participates on relevant committees.

The goal of discharge planning is to promote continuity of care, improve the quality of care and maximize the use of health care resources. The Nurses Association of New Brunswick believes the registered nurse is well prepared for the role of discharge planner. The nurse assesses each client by gathering and utilizing pertinent data to identify actual or potential problems, sets goals by planning with or for the client and family, implements a course of action to teach and assist individuals in maintaining or regaining optimal well-being, and continuously evaluates nursing care. The nurse strives, on behalf of the client, to protect and promote his total well-being. As a member of the health team, the nurse collaborates with others to plan, implement, coordinate, and facilitate total care and so help the client reach the desired goal of optimal well-being. May 1983 Reviewed May 1996 Reviewed and revised July 2002 References Harper E.A. (1998). Discharge planning: An interdisciplinary method. Silverberg Press: Chicago, IL. New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness (2002). Job definition of a discharge planning coordinator. Author: Fredericton, NB.