Discharge criteria at surgery, paediatric, and neurology wards (in % of patients in whom these criteria were deemed relevant) ordered in the four themes.

In 53/426 (12%) of the patients one or more items were scored as not ready for discharge:1Not considered clinically well enough (n = 6 in Neurology and n = 1 in Thoracic Surgery).2Family did not agree (n = 1).3Considered not yet able to perform ADL (n = 1).4Swelling of surgical site was still prominent (n = 1).5Fluid balance was still uneven (n = 1).6Discharged with telemetry (n = 1).7Low haemoglobin (n = 1).8Patient was discharged although results of multidisciplinary oncology meeting were being awaited (n = 1).9Palliative care not arranged during hospitalisation (n = 1).10Interdisciplinary plan not ready (n = 1).11Discharge letter not ready (n = 1).12Homecare not available (n = 5 in Orthopaedics and n = 1 in Vascular Surgery)≃ nursing home arranged instead.13Home situation not sufficient (Neurology n = 20≃ Trauma Surgery n = 4≃ GI-surgery n = 3, Paediatric s n = 2).