Setting priorities for a discharge plan for stroke patients entering nursing home care

Abstract

Objective: To agree priorities for the structure and content of the discharge process for stroke patients entering nursing home care. Design: A formal priority-setting exercise using the Nominal Group Technique. Participants: A panel of 12 members of a multidisciplinary team from a hospital and community setting with experience in the management of stroke patients on a daily basis. Results: Agreement was good and improved during the process (Kendall coefficient of concordance ‘ W’ increased from 0.48 to 0.58 for physical care needs, 0.45 to 0.75 for care needs and 0.56 to 0.72 for the discharge process). The priorities for discharge were: 1) Plans need to be co-ordinated by one person 2) Clear written information on medication should be provided 3) Clear written information on nutritional needs should be provided. Conclusion: Agreement was reached by a panel of clinicians on an evidencebased discharge plan for stroke patients entering nursing home care.