Assessing the foreseeable risks in discharge planning: the challenge of discharging the brain-injured patient.

Hospital discharge planning is a challenging and complex task, which becomes increasingly difficult when the patient has suffered brain injury or cognitive impairment. The social worker is often in the conflicting roles of trying to serve the best interests of the patient as well as serving the institution in the discharge planning process. This paper is intended to be a practical guide to examine the issues involved in discharge planning from the perspective of the hospital's duties, with consideration being given to the potential risks to the patient.