Frail elderly patient´s experiences of readmission to hospital care

Background: Frail elderly is described as multi diseased, vulnerable, in need of medication and hospital care. The group of patients is a growing part of the population in the western world. Theories of patient centered care, health literacy and hand over problems are also described in the background. Aim: to describe a group of frail elderly patients experiences of hospital readmission and identify possible organizational flaws. Method: Qualitative data was collected from 20 patients during their second visit at the hospital and a content analysis was performed. Results: Findings were; experiences of ill being ever since the first hospitalization period due to not being well enough, being sent home to quickly or relatives not being strong enough to handle the situation. Experiences of not being informed or being informed in a noisy surrounding about the given care, and how to rehab when returning home. Findings also described situations of misunderstanding related to informant´s present medication and finally a need for appropriate discharge calls for the frail elderly patient. Conclusion: The results highlight a need to act according to the patient´s legal rights to be informed and participate in the decision-making. An implementation of patient centered care can make it possible. An increased number of nursing specialists in the elderly care might also lead to improved continuity and give support to the frail elderly