An Automated Alert System in a Transitional Care Program to Improve Continuity of Care in the Emergency Department: A Strategy for Reducing Rehospitalizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken S. Ota ◽  
Mohamad Lazkani ◽  
Geoffrey J. Orme
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Alert System

A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a cardiac hospital-to-home transitional care program in a Singapore academic medical center

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Yanying Chen ◽  
Yi Jin Tan ◽  
Ya Sun ◽  
Cheng Zhan Chua ◽  
Jeffrey Kwang Sui Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Hospital To Home

Background Rehospitalizations are common in healthcare. They are costly for hospitals and patients and a substantial percentage are preventable, partly because hospital-to-community transitions are often unmanaged or poorly managed. In this study, we conducted a pragmatic randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a new nurse–practitioner-led transitional care program called CareHub, piloted in Singapore’s National University Hospital. Methods Study population included all eligible cardiac patients admitted between July 2016 and November 2016. Patients were followed for six months post-discharge. Primary outcomes other than emergency department visits were all cardiac-related: number of readmissions, specialist visits, emergency department visits, and total days readmitted. Secondary outcomes: variables related to quality of life and transitional care. Regression analyses were used to estimate the intent-to-treat effect of CareHub and explore treatment heterogeneity. Results CareHub reduced the mean number of unplanned readmissions by 0.23 (a 39% reduction relative to control mean of 0.60 unplanned readmissions, p < 0.05), mean number of all readmissions by 0.20 (31% reduction relative to control mean of 0.63 readmissions, p = 0.10), mean number of total unplanned days in hospital by 2.2 (56% reduction relative to control mean of 4.0 days, p < 0.05), mean number of total days in hospital by 2.0 (42% reduction relative to control mean of 4.3 days, p < 0.10). Treatment effects varied by pre-admission health and socio-economic status. Conclusion A carefully designed protocolized cardiac hospital-to-home transition program can reduce resource utilization while improving quality of life.

Nurses’ Experiences of Transitional Care in Multiple Chronic Conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 108482232110021
Author(s):  
Alireza Nikbakht Nasrabadi ◽  
Leila Mardanian Dehkordi ◽  
Fariba Taleghani
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Levels Of Care

Transitional care is a designed plan to ensure the continuity of care received by patients as they transfer between different locations or levels of care. The aim of this paper is to explore nurses’ experiences of transitional care in multiple chronic conditions. A qualitative method with a conventional content analysis approach was utilized. The study was conducted at university hospitals in 2 big cities (Isfahan and Tehran) of Iran. This study is performed from November 2018 to December 2019 using deep, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews which are focused on nurses’ experiences of transitional care. Data collection continued until saturation was reached. Finally, 15 nurses take part in this study. Data collection and data analysis were conducted concurrently. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s techniques. Two main themes providing a descriptive summary of the major elements of transitional care identified: “threat to patient safety” and “Care breakdown”. Findings showed an exclusive image of unsafe transitional care which was done unplanned without appropriate delegating care to family and threat patient safety. There is still a gap in the transition from hospital to home. Nursing managers can address this issue by creating a culture of teamwork, training competent nurses by continuum education, and more supervision of nursing care. Policymakers can ensure continuity of care by developing policies and programs about transitional care.

Assessment of a multi-center tele-urgent care program to decrease emergency department referral rates in the Veterans Health Administration

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110248
Author(s):  
Charlie M Wray ◽  
Myla Junge ◽  
Salomeh Keyhani ◽  
Janeen E Smith
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Department Visit ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Emergency Department Utilization ◽  
Emergency Department Care ◽  
Referral Rates ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care Evaluation

The use of emergency departments for non-emergent issues has led to overcrowding and decreased the quality of care. Telemedicine may be a mechanism to decrease overutilization of this expensive resource. From April to September 2020, we assessed (a) the impact of a multi-center tele-urgent care program on emergency department referral rates and (b) the proportion of individuals who had a subsequent emergency department visit within 72 h of tele-urgent care evaluation when they were not referred to the emergency department. We then performed a chart review to assess whether patients presented to the emergency department for the same reason as was stated for their tele-urgent care evaluation, whether subsequent hospitalization was needed during that emergency department visit, and whether death occurred. Among the 2510 patients who would have been referred to in-person emergency department care, but instead received tele-urgent care assessment, one in five (21%; n = 533) were subsequently referred to the emergency department. Among those not referred following tele-urgent care, 1 in 10 (11%; n = 162) visited the emergency department within 72 h. Among these 162 individuals, most (91%) returned with the same or similar complaint as what was assessed during their tele-urgent care visit, with one in five requiring hospitalization (19%, n = 31) with one individual (0.01%) dying. In conclusion, tele-urgent care may safely decrease emergency department utilization.

scholarly journals Medical Trainee Continuity of Care Following Emergency Department Consultations in a Pediatric Hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bjorklund ◽  
Emily A. Eismann ◽  
Roger Cornwall
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Medical Trainee

ABSTRACT Background The importance of continuity of care in training is widely recognized; however, a broad-spectrum assessment across all specialties has not been performed. Objective We assessed the continuity of care provided by trainees, following patient consultations in the emergency department (ED) across all specialties at a large pediatric tertiary care center. Methods Medical records were reviewed to identify patients seen in consultation by a resident or fellow trainee in the ED over a 1-year period, and to determine if the patient followed up with the same trainee for the same condition during the next 6 months. Results Resident and fellow trainees from 33 specialties participated in 3400 ED consultations. Approximately 50% (1718 of 3400) of the patients seen in consultation by a trainee in the ED followed up with the same specialty within 6 months, but only 4.1% (70 of 1718) followed up with the same trainee for the same condition. Trainee continuity of care ranged from 0% to 21% among specialties, where specialties with resident clinics (14.4%) have a greater continuity of care than specialties without resident clinics (2.7%, P &lt; .001). Continuity of care did not differ between fellows (4.2%) and residents (4.0%, P = .87), but did differ between postgraduate years for residents (P &lt; .001). Conclusions Trainee continuity of care for ED consultations was low across all specialties and levels of training. If continuity of care is important for patient well-being and trainee education, efforts to improve continuity for trainees must be undertaken.

scholarly journals Transitional care models for chronic patients: preliminary results from an umbrella review

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M T Riccardi ◽  
M Cicconi ◽  
W Ricciardi ◽  
M M Gianino ◽  
G Damiani
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Care Models

Abstract Worldwide, chronic diseases are burdening and the health systems need to be rethought to better manage this epidemiologic shift. One of the critical points in the care pathway of chronic patients is the transition from one care setting to another. Aim of this study is to provide an overview of the current evidence on the impact of transitional care programs on health and economic outcomes for chronic patients Medline, Web of Science and EMBASE were queried for relevant reviews using the Population-Intervention-Context-Outcome (PICO) model. The quality of the included articles was determined using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic, and comparison among studies carried out in European Union (EU) versus non-EU was performed (Chi-square test was used and a p &lt; 0.05 was deemed as statistically significant) 124 reviews were assessed for eligibility and 14 were eventually included (for a total of 167 primary articles). Quality appraisal was critically low in 60% of the reviews. Both hospital readmission rate and Emergency Department (ED) visit rate were lower than those in usual care group, but this difference was significant in 40% of articles. In EU studies readmission rate was lower in 65% of cases while in non-EU ones the percentage was 51.0%, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.23). Six reviews (43%) investigated the economic impact of the transitional care: most reported an initial increase in cost due to investment in staff training and creation of organizational networks, followed by a sharp decrease in costs due to a better utilization of health services, thus leading to a reduction in overall costs. Compared with usual care, transitional care shows an overall cost reduction, even if with limited effects on re-hospitalization or ED visit rates. These findings should encourage decision makers to invest in the development of this kind of programs in order to identify models that best perform. Key messages The patient transfer supervision from one care setting to another is necessary for continuity of care, but there is no robust evidence about the better performance of transitional care models. Systematically reviewed transitional care models has been shown be more cost saving, with a moderate impact on hospital readmission or emergency department visits rates.

Progressive Mobility As a Team Effort in Transitional Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. Ecklund ◽  
Jill W. Bloss
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Skilled Nursing Facility ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Nursing Facility ◽  
Skilled Nursing ◽  
Core Culture ◽  
The Continuum

With changing health care, progressive care nurses are working in diverse practice settings to meet patient care needs. Progressive care is practiced along the continuum from the intensive care unit to home. The benefits of early progressive mobility are examined with a focus on the interdisciplinary collaboration for care in a transitional care program of a skilled nursing facility. The program’s goals are improved functional status, self-care management, and home discharge with reduced risk for hospital readmission. The core culture of the program is interdisciplinary collaboration and team partnership for care of patients and their families.

Abstract 256: Readmission Avoidability in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Souphis ◽  
Rachel Sylvester ◽  
Alison Wiles ◽  
Meghana Subramanian ◽  
William Froehlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transitional Care ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Avoidable Readmission ◽  
Cancer Complications ◽  
Avoidable Readmissions

Background: Readmissions for ACS are common, costly, and potentially preventable. According to Medicare 13.4% of AMI admissions were followed by a rehospitalization within 15 days. A 2007 MedPAC report declared 76% of 30-day readmissions preventable. These rates are used as quality indicators despite lack of consensus on the definition of avoidable and unavoidable readmissions. We sought to define these terms and to analyze the effect of these definitions on 30-day outcomes. Methods: BRIDGE (Bridging the Discharge Gap Effectively) is an NP-led transitional care program for cardiac patients within 14 days of discharge. Retrospective data were abstracted on ACS patients readmitted before their appointments between 2008-2010. All readmissions were characterized as avoidable or unavoidable. Definitions were developed from the literature and in concert with senior cardiologists. Avoidable readmission was defined as being the result of a patient or provider issue that if managed may have prevented the admission. Unavoidable readmissions were defined as a patient in need of acute care. Avoidability status was further divided as related or unrelated to the index diagnosis. Results: Of 1188 BRIDGE referrals 304 (25.6%) experienced ACS events. In comparison to the total ACS population, patients readmitted before their BRIDGE clinic appointment (BC) (n=21, 6.9%) tended to be older, female, and were less likely to have a history of a cath or AMI (Table 1). In this study, 81% (n=17) of early readmissions were deemed unavoidable and most (n=14, 66.7%) were attributed to non-ACS issues or disease progression. These unavoidable readmissions included patients with cancer complications, chest pain, or other non-related diagnoses. Only 19% (n=4) of the readmissions were declared avoidable as a result of patient lack of adherence or provider issues such as adverse drug effects. Conclusion: The majority of early (before BC) readmissions following an index hospitalization for ACS patients referred to BRIDGE were unavoidable and unrelated to ACS. A clear discrepancy is seen between the 76% preventable readmissions in the MedPAC report and the 19% preventable readmissions in this study. Distinctions between unavoidable and avoidable readmissions should inform the utility of 30-day readmission rates as quality metrics.

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