Missing Components in Discharge Summaries to Subacute Care Centers

Patients who are discharged to subacute care settings often are medically complex, debilitated, and cognitively impaired. Hospital discharge summaries often serve as templates to direct care of these vulnerable patients during their care transitions.

Investigators used a systematic literature review process to compile 32 expert-recommended components that should be included in a discharge summary. The components were grouped into four categories: historical components (such as hospital course), patient's functional and cognitive ability at discharge, actionable components and future plan of care, and contact information. The researchers reviewed 489 discharge summaries for patients with hip fractures or strokes who were discharged to U.S. su…