Definition of DM

1. Discharge management: focus on socio-economicallyandethnicallydeprivedpatients at the postnatalandgeriatricward

2. Definition of DM The whole of activitiescarried out by the care providers toassure a good transfer from the intramuralto the extramural setting for the patient DM=process in the care trajectorywithcrucialelements: (1)Evaluation patientneeds (beforewardadmission) (2) Transmuralcommunication (3) Multidisciplinarycollaboration (patienteducationincluded) (4) Clearwritten discharge planning in a comprehensivelanguage

3. MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS (1) In addition to information & education, the patient needs practical & emotional support. A clear distribution of the caregivers’ roles & tasks at the discharge provides a higher patient’s satisfaction. Communication & collaboration between the different caregivers (primary as well as secondary health care) who together give form to the discharge, are of decisive importance BUT no discipline claims the coordination of the discharge + no clear coordination role of managing the discharge

4. MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS (2) Little literature about DM in specific target groups Differentiation for ethnical and socio-economical groups is very scarce, AND less information A lot of literature about ED at the maternity ward A lot of gaps are remaining to be able to pursue an effective discharge policy More attention should be given to discharge, specifically to the preparation and communication, in particular for specific patient groups.

5. Discharge planning case manager The development of transmuralandinterdisciplinary care pathsandprotocols More research needed in this field Nurses andmidwives must be “culture sensitive”

6. Contact Florence.dhaenens@ehb.be