Medical-Surgical Nursing

Family caregivers' experiences during within-hospital handoffs between acute care units are not well understood. Qualitative description methodology was employed to describe family caregivers' experiences during their loved ones' handoffs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 caregivers of hospitalized older adults. Three themes emerged: Lack of care coordination, Muddling through handoffs alone, and Wariness toward the care delivery system. Findings can help clinicians shape their interactions with caregivers to maximize their involvement in post–hospital care.

The data on family caregiving is sobering and it behooves all to become familiar with several recent monographs and reports from the field. Happ looks at some reports that provide important data and evidence useful as caregivers develop, test, and implement best, conscientious practices in the discharge of older adults from acute care settings.