A Retrospective Record Review Examining Barriers to Discharge at the End of Life

End-of-life patients face barriers that prevent them from transitioning from the hospital to their preferred place of death. These barriers include a lack of trust, ineffective communication, delayed discharge planning, and difficulty accessing medications and supplies. This quality improvement study examined modifiable barriers identified within an acute care system. The study aimed to provide insight and recommendations for limiting barriers to discharge. A retrospective review of medical records was performed to evaluate for patterns and similarities. The lack of timely advanced care planning and documentation of these discussions are a factor in patients not achieving end of life preferences.