Barriers that influence nurses' information exchange during care transfer of older persons

Introduction: Despite an increased focus on the need for cooperation between providers across health care organizations, researchers still report problems in the exchange of information between the hospitals and the health care systems in the municipalities. The aim of the present study was to investigate barriers that influence nurses' information exchange during elderly patients transfer across health care organizations, based on the experience of registered nurses within medical hospital unit and home health care. Methods and Materials: A qualitative approach was chosen in this study, and data were collected using focus group methodology. Three focus group interviews were conducted, interpreted and analysed through content analysis. Fourteen registered nurses, two men and twelve women, were recruited from two units at the general medical department at a hospital and the home health care agency affiliated with this hospital. Each focus group consisted of between three and six nurses who had direct experience in information management during elderly patient transfer. Results: Three preliminary main themes were formed to describe barriers that influence nurses' information exchange during elderly patients transfer between hospital and home health care. These themes were: organizational factors, interpersonal factors, and personal factors. These themes included several sub-themes. Conclusion: The findings in this study highlight the challenges nurses encounter in ensuring successful information exchange and continuity of care during the elderly patients' transfer through the health care system. Recognition of these barriers that affect nurses exchange of information is important to meet to ensure patient safety and successful transitions from hospital to home care. In order for nurses to conduct a successful exchange of information, it is critical that hospital and home health care facilitate this through adequate resources, clear mission and responsibilities, and understandable policies.