C J Patterson1, G P Mulley. 1. Elderly Medicine Directorate, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits for elderly patients. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A computer-aided search was conducted using the databases of Medline and Cinahl. Any studies investigating predischarge home assessment visits were included in the analysis. RESULTS: No randomized controlled trials were found. Only five studies (two retrospective surveys, three observational surveys) were identified. In four of these, a possible benefit for home visiting was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Little evidence exists for the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits. Further research is needed to establish their value.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits for elderly patients. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A computer-aided search was conducted using the databases of Medline and Cinahl. Any studies investigating predischarge home assessment visits were included in the analysis. RESULTS: No randomized controlled trials were found. Only five studies (two retrospective surveys, three observational surveys) were identified. In four of these, a possible benefit for home visiting was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Little evidence exists for the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits. Further research is needed to establish their value.
Authors: Natasha Anne Lannin; Lindy Clemson; Annie McCluskey; Chung-Wei Christine Lin; Ian D Cameron; Sarah Barras Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2007-03-14 Impact factor: 2.655