OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess whether GP input into discharge planning for high-risk aged in-patients admitted under the care of a geriatrician results in improved patient outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial in Sydney, Australia. The subjects were 364 patients aged 60 years and over. The main outcome measures included community service referral, accommodation changes, length of stay, readmission rate, length of time to first readmission and patient satisfaction with discharge arrangements. RESULTS: No significant differences were found with regard to length of stay, readmission rates or time to first readmission. Test-group subjects were significantly more likely to be recommended for community services at discharge and to report that hospital personnel had discussed their discharge plan with them. Significantly more of the test group reported that their return home was well prepared. CONCLUSIONS: Although GP pre-discharge visits did not alter the likelihood of 'hard outcomes such as risk of readmission', the results suggest that quality of care is enhanced amongst patients receiving a pre-discharge visit and that GPs can perform a key role in planning post-discharge care with other services.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess whether GP input into discharge planning for high-risk aged in-patients admitted under the care of a geriatrician results in improved patient outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial in Sydney, Australia. The subjects were 364 patients aged 60 years and over. The main outcome measures included community service referral, accommodation changes, length of stay, readmission rate, length of time to first readmission and patient satisfaction with discharge arrangements. RESULTS: No significant differences were found with regard to length of stay, readmission rates or time to first readmission. Test-group subjects were significantly more likely to be recommended for community services at discharge and to report that hospital personnel had discussed their discharge plan with them. Significantly more of the test group reported that their return home was well prepared. CONCLUSIONS: Although GP pre-discharge visits did not alter the likelihood of 'hard outcomes such as risk of readmission', the results suggest that quality of care is enhanced amongst patients receiving a pre-discharge visit and that GPs can perform a key role in planning post-discharge care with other services.
Authors: Henk Schers; Caroline van de Ven; Henk van den Hoogen; Richard Grol; Wil van den Bosch Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2004 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Daniela C Gonçalves-Bradley; Natasha A Lannin; Lindy M Clemson; Ian D Cameron; Sasha Shepperd Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2016-01-27
Authors: Roni Peleg; Yan Press; Maya Asher; Tatyana Pugachev; Hadas Glicensztain; Mila Lederman; Aya Biderman Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2008-02-06 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Ian Litchfield; David Fitzmaurice; Patricia Apenteng; Sian Harrison; Carl Heneghan; Alison Ward; Sheila Greenfield Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2016-06-06 Impact factor: 5.386