Discharge Support from Acute Care Hospital Ward Nurses：A Literature Review

Abstract

　This study aimed to clarify the discharge support provided by ward nurses in acute care hospitals.

　A search was conducted in Ichushi using the keywords“discharge support or discharge coordination and ward nurse and acute care hospital”．Eight articles describing the discharge support provided by ward nurses were qualitatively analyzed. Then, the findings were extracted based on seven categories：【Working within a team to develop a common understanding of the patient and their family】，【Collaborating with multiple professions within and outside the hospital】，【Developing the nursing process with a constant focus on the patient's discharge and life after discharge】，【Prioritizing support for the patient's and their family's wishes】，【Encouraging the patient and their family to understand and accept information about their illness】，【Interacting with the patient and their family in a way that improves their self-management skills】，【Consistently improving support quality through words and actions】

　Ward nurses in acute care hospitals provide discharged support as part of their daily care, taking advantage of their close relationship with patients.