Readiness for hospital discharge is a concept that is familiar to patients, families, and providers of hospital-based care. It has been described as an estimate of patients’ and family members’ ability to leave an acute care facility,18 a perception of being prepared or not prepared for hospital discharge,7,19 and as an indicator of sufficient recovery to allow safe discharge although the patient is in an inter- mediate rather than later stage of recovery.1 Attributes of readiness for discharge include physical stability; functional ability, preparedness, and competence to manage self-care at home; psychosocial factors including coping skills; availability of social support; adequate education and information about what to expect; and access to healthcare system and community resources.19–22
A patient’s readi