2007 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 1_129-1_135
This study developed and evaluated a home-care support system utilizing a liaison form for hospital discharge preparation to facilitate the transition of clients from hospital to home care. In this system, the client is helped by nurses to assess probable life under care after discharge from hospital. Client lifestyle and needs are described in an assessment sheet for homecare, sent by the client to a home-care support center while still in hospital. The home-care support center acts according to requests and tasks described in the form. This series of steps was applied to 7 cases. Nurses completed liaison forms after recognizing the system as useful for developing connections between clients discharged from hospital and the community. Clients considered the system as a tool for addressing problems, and provided information at their discretion. The home-care support center acted according to requests in liaison forms, which represented information provided by clients. Throughout the process of utilizing liaison forms, nurses achieved educational support to improve self-care abilities in patients, acting with respect for the self-selection and self-determination of clients. Future improvements in usability of the liaison form will be achieved by modifying and reviewing the operating system with increased numbers of cases.
