A theoretical framework of interorganizational communication was developed to conceptually and empirically integrate the components of this study. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the interorganizational message transferred in the home care referral of elderly clients by hospitals and to explore the influence of selected organizational factors upon that message. Communication is fundamental to discharge planning for continuity of patient care, and the prescriptive literature on the topic chronicled inadequacies, breakdowns, and gaps. Substantial support for this study was documented in both the health care related and organizational literature. Using instruments designed specifically for this project, discharge planners and home care nurses described the desired interorganizational message, while a review of 300 home care referral records delineated the enacted interorganizational message. Results indicated a moderate amount of data exchanged in referrals. Content was characterized primarily by background data, some medical data, even less nursing care data, and almost no psychosocial data. Medical and nursing care data were ranked as most important by message senders and receivers, but discrepancies existed between desired and enacted messages. Findings suggested that interorganizational communication was enhanced (1) when combinations of discharge planning models were operative; (2) by multiple referral sources; (3) in smaller hospitals; (4) by the use of a standardized referral form; and (5) in hospital affiliated home care agencies. Interorganizational communication was affected by structural and social feedback deficiencies and by insufficient prioritization of client related information. Findings from this study may assist in establishing a preliminary knowledge base concerning interorganizational communication in the home care referral of elderly clients following hospital discharge planning activities.