A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESSFUL DISCHARGE FOR OLDER ADULT INPATIENTS. Laurie A. Poglitsch*1; Michael Emery2; Amy Darragh2 1. Physical Medicine and Rehab, Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT; 2. Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine what members of the health care team, geriatric patients, and their family members consider important aspects of the discharge planning process. In addition, characteristics of a successful discharge planning process were also investigated. BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: There were five groups of participants and each group was made up of four individuals: a medical professional, rehabilitation professional, a geriatric patient, and family member. The older adult patients consisted of 3 females and 2 males with a mean age of 85. The family members consisted of 3 spouses and 2 daughters. The medical professionals consisted of 1 floor nurse, 2 discharge planning nurses, 1 physician assistant and 1 physician. The rehabilitation professionals consisted of 2 occupational therapists and 3 physical therapists. SUBJECTS: There were five groups of participants and each group was made up of four individuals: a medical professional, rehabilitation professional, a geriatric patient, and family member. The older adult patients consisted of 3 females and 2 males with a mean age of 85. The family members consisted of 3 spouses and 2 daughters. The medical professionals consisted of 1 floor nurse, 2 discharge planning nurses, 1 physician assistant and 1 physician. The rehabilitation professionals consisted of 2 occupational therapists and 3 physical therapists. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A grounded theory design was used for this study. An interview, which was audio recorded, was conducted with each participant and the information gathered was used to define characteristics of a successful discharge planning process. A different set of interview questions was used for each group. ANALYSES: Each interview was transcribed and the software program NUDist (QRS International Pty. Ltd.) was used to organize and code the data. The process of coding included open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and integrating the data and refinement of the theory. RESULTS: Five themes that contribute to a successful discharge planning process were identified: Important factors, involvement and participation, communication, timing and agreement, and consensus. All participants described important factors in the discharge planning process. Involvement and participation consists of the extent of involvement of the subject and the ways they participated in the discharge plans. Communication consists of the extent in which the different subjects shared information and timing described the time constraints on the discharge planning process. Agreement/consensus describes the importance of agreement among all the members of the healthcare team. CONCLUSIONS: : It is apparent that there are many factors that contribute to a successful discharge planning process. These factors differ among different healthcare professionals, patients, and family members. Considering these factors when deciding the proper discharge plan can facilitate a more successful outcome from the perspective of everyone involved. FUNDING SOURCE: None. KEYWORDS: discharge planning, Hospital Discharge Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.