Mobile Technology Care Coordination of Long-Term Services and Support: Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess whether the effects of a mobile predictive intervention used by Service Coordinators (SCs) reduce hospital utilization in a Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) population in Baltimore city during a 5-month intervention. SC participants (n = 11) were recruited to treatment or control groups. LTSS clients (n = 420) followed their SC randomization assignment. Utilization data were obtained from the Maryland Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) Health Information Exchange (HIE) system and linked to service coordination records. Study groups were similar in age, gender, race, and years receiving LTSS. SCs' satisfaction with use of the mobile tool was surveyed. SC perceptions were neutral (mean scores ranged from 2.3 to 3.3 on a 5-point scale). No significant differences between groups were observed for all utilization metrics. The mobile technology software system used in this study did not improve health care utilization for a LTSS population needing ongoing clinical and social services coordinated care.