Criteria led discharge (CLD) is an innovative practice that hopes to improve patient flow within the hospital setting. CLD is the process by which patients can be appropriately discharged by allied health and nursing staff when measured against pre-determined criteria. Timely and appropriate discharge of patients by occupational therapy and nursing staff provides recognition of their expertise and empowerment of non-medical staff within a framework that traditionally follows a strictly medical model.

Method: A working group of key stakeholders was developed to assess the existing process and to develop strategies to improve the current discharge process from Occupational therapy, Plastic Dressings Clinic and the Plastic Surgery Outpatient Clinic. An inclusion and exclusion criteria was developed and approval gained to implement a weekly discharge clinic. A quality improvement audit was developed to monitor the implementation of this process and to ensure those discharging patients from the clinic had the required competencies.

Results: A discharge clinic was established in February 2009. Results from an audit completed at both three and six months post implementation will be reviewed. Data collected will cover the number of patients attending the discharge clinic, the number of successful discharges, the presenting diagnosis and the time from injury to discharge. The barriers to the development of such a clinic will be outlined and the 'pearls' of this process will be reviewed to enable and encourage other clinicians to move toward CLD within their settings.