Abstract
BackgroundUnplanned readmission is an important healthcare quality issue. We studied the effect of a comprehensive geriatric screen (CGS) in the early admission course followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment on readmission rates in elderly patients.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study with a historical comparison group was conducted in the geriatric ward of a referral centre in northern Taiwan. Older adults (aged > = 65 y/o) admitted from June 2013 to December 2013 were recruited for the geriatric screen group (N = 377). Patients admitted to the same ward from July 2011 to June 2012 were selected for the historical group (N = 380). The CGS was administered within the first 48 h after admission and was followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Confounding risk factors included age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, Barthel index score and medical utilization (length of stay and number of admissions), which were controlled using logistic regression models. We also developed a scoring system to identify the group that would potentially benefit the most from the early CGS.ResultsThe 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the early CGS group than in the historical comparison group (11.4% vs 16.9%, p = 0.03). After adjusting for confounding variables, the hazard ratio of the early CGS group was 0.64 (95% CI 0.43–0.95). After scoring the potential benefit to the patients in the early CGS group, the log rank test showed a significant difference (p = 0.001 in the high-potential group and p = 0.98 in the low-potential group).ConclusionAn early CGS followed by a CGA may significantly reduce the 30-day readmission rate of elderly patients.
Highlights
A successful or optimal admission course provides patients with relief or remission from acute disease
Demographics After excluding patients who died during the study course or were transferred to other medical departments, a total of 380 controls and 377 patients who received the comprehensive geriatric screen (CGS) were included in our final cohort study (Fig. 1)
The 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the CGS group than in the historical group (11.4% vs 16.9%, p = 0.03, Table 1)
Summary
A successful or optimal admission course provides patients with relief or remission from acute disease. Unplanned readmission rates have been used as a quality indicator of medical care [1]. High readmission rates lead to economic burdens for patients and the healthcare system. The risk factors for patient readmission are complicated and may vary across different diseases or patient groups. Problems with readmission rates seem to be more severe in large hospitals, teaching hospitals and safety-net hospitals because of increased medical complexity and socioeconomic variability [6]. Previous studies have shown that the 30-day readmission. Unplanned readmission is an important healthcare quality issue. We studied the effect of a comprehensive geriatric screen (CGS) in the early admission course followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment on readmission rates in elderly patients
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