Nursing discharge management in acute care hospitals

Hospital admissions are a critical event for older people and often mark the beginning of the end. The ageing population is accompanied by an increased need for treatment. As a result, acute care hospitals will have to treat an even larger proportion of older people in the future. The high number of elderly people in acute care hospitals requires sound nursing discharge management. Hospital staff must further develop their skills and knowledge with regard to the special care needs of older people. Discharge procedures that are not tailored to geriatric patients trigger the so-called revolving door effect. This not only entails avoidable costs, but also places an unreasonable burden on the elderly. Hospital admissions cause existing symptoms in elderly people to worsen or new health problems to arise. Examples include delirium, nosocomial infections, falls and anxiety. In addition, elderly people are at risk of losing their remaining ability to live independently. Recommendations to move into a care home follow, even though the majority of elderly people would prefer to live at home.