Improving patient care transitions from the intensive care unit to the ward by learning from everyday practice. A multicenter qualitative study.

Objective: To explore and describe the everyday practices (Work-As-Done) that hinder and facilitate patient care transitions from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the ward.

Research Method/design: Multiple qualitative case studies in the ICU and various specialized wards of three Dutch hospitals. Adult patients planned to be transferred were purposively sampled on a variety of characteristics along with their relative (if present), and the ICU and ward nurses who were involved in the transition process.