An emergency department-based nurse discharge coordinator for elder patients: does it make a difference?

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of an emergency department (ED)-based nurse discharge plan coordinator (NDPC) on unscheduled return visits within 14 days of discharge, satisfaction with discharge recommendations, adherence with discharge instructions, and perception of well-being of elder patients discharged from the ED.

Methods: Patients aged 75 years and older discharged from the ED of the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital were recruited in a pre/post study.