Subacute Care Facilities Research Articles

Nutritional screening of older people in a sub-acute care facility in Australia and its relation to discharge outcomes.

To determine the prevalence of under-nutrition using brief screening methods and to determine the relation between these results and (1) those of a more standard nutritional assessment and (2) discharge outcomes. Prospective study. 65 (21 males) patients older than 65 years. Sub-acute care facility. The Mini Nutritional Assessment, standard nutritional assessment, 'rapid screen' and discharge outcome. The prevalence of under-nutrition was high, ranging from 35.4% to 43.1%, depending on the screening method used. Compared to the standard nutritional assessment the 'rapid screen' consisting of (1) body mass index <22 kg/m(2); and/or (2) reported weight loss of >7.5% over the previous 3 months and the two-tiered Mini Nutritional Assessment process (at risk subjects (46% of total) further evaluated using standard nutritional assessment) had sensitivities of 78.6 and 89.5% and specificities of 97.3 and 87.5% respectively in diagnosing under-nutrition. Under-nourished patients as identified by the standard nutritional assessment (50.0% (under-nourished) versus 21.6% (nourished); P = 0.017), the two-tiered Mini Nutritional Assessment process (50.0% (under-nourished) versus 21.6% (nourished); P = 0.017) and the rapid screen (56.5% (under-nourished) versus 21.4% (nourished); P = 0.004) were more likely to be discharged to an acute hospital or an accommodation with increased support (poor discharge outcomes) than nourished patients. All screening methods identified patients more likely to have a poor discharge outcome. The highly specific but less sensitive 'rapid screen' may be the best method in facilities with limited resources as it can be easily incorporated into nursing/medical admissions and avoids biochemical investigations in all patients. The more sensitive two-tiered Mini Nutritional Assessment is better if resources permit.

Nutritional screening of older people in a sub-acute care facility in Australia and its relation to discharge outcomes

Nutritional screening of older people in a sub-acute care facility in Australia and its relation to discharge outcomes

Preventing Falls in Subacute Care Facilities

Patients in subacute care facilities (e.g., rehabilitation centers) fall frequently, and 1% to 10% of those falls result in fractures. To determine the best interventions to prevent falls in this setting, Australian investigators conducted this randomized trial. A total of 626 adults (average age, 80) in a hospital that …

Deep vein thrombosis in elderly patients hospitalized in subacute care facilities: a multicenter cross-sectional study of risk factors, prophylaxis, and prevalence.

The efficacy of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis has not been established, to our knowledge, in elderly patients hospitalized in subacute care facilities. To describe risk factors and physician practices in the prevention of venous thromboembolism and to estimate the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in the subacute care departments of 36 French hospitals. The study population included 852 inpatients older than 64 years. Systematic ultrasound examination was performed by angiologists. Of the 852 inpatients, 178 (20.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.2%-23.8%) had 3 or more risk factors other than age, while 144 patients (16.9%; 95% CI, 14.4%-19.6%) had none. The rate of prophylactic anticoagulant treatment was 56.1%, ranging from 20.0% to 86.9%, depending on the department. In multivariate analysis, prophylaxis use was associated with acute immobilization (odds ratio [OR], 4.17; 95% CI, 2.48-7.01), chronic immobilization (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.22-4.60), major surgical procedure (OR, 6.81; 95% CI, 4.26-10.88), and congestive heart failure (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.02-2.67). Prophylaxis use was low in patients who had cancer (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.84) or myocardial infarction (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.14-1.00). It was not significantly associated with paralytic stroke or history of venous thromboembolism. Deep vein thrombosis was detected in 135 patients (15.8%; 95% CI, 13.4%-18.5%): 50 (5.9%; 95% CI, 4.4%-7.7%) had proximal vein thrombosis and 85 (10.0%; 95% CI, 8.0%-12.2%) had calf vein thrombosis. The prevalence of deep venous thrombosis is high in these patients, despite wide use of prophylaxis. Further prospective studies assessing the clinical benefit of extended duration prophylaxis are needed in elderly patients hospitalized in subacute care settings.

Hospital discharge to other healthcare facilities: impact on in-hospital mortality.

In-hospital mortality is frequently used as an outcomes measure for surgical procedures. Recently, hospitals have developed subacute care facilities to allow earlier discharge. Outcomes of patients discharged (transferred) to these units or to other similar facilities may not be captured in reports of in-hospital mortality. The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) patient discharge abstract database was examined to determine the rates of discharge to other facilities (transfer) and the number of in-hospital deaths occurring during the index hospitalization and after transfer in patients undergoing cardiac surgery procedures. Data were collected for 1997, 1998, and 1999 for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG-only, n = 82,897), CABG plus additional procedures (CABG-plus, n = 11,869), and valve repair or replacement (Valve-only, n = 14,872). In-hospital mortality and transfer rates (same-day discharge and readmission to another facility) were determined for all hospitals through the index hospitalization and subsequent transfers. Aggregated 3-year in-hospital mortality rates for the index hospitalization were 2.98% for CABG-only, 9.25% for CABG-plus, and 4.85% in Valve-only groups. Transfer rates were 12.41%, 23.16%, and 13.43%, respectively. The percentages of all in-hospital deaths occurring after transfer from the index hospital were 13.5% (385 of 2,857) in CABG-only, 13.3% (168 of 1,266) in CABG-plus, and 11.0% (89 of 811) in Valve-only patients. When corrected for these additional deaths, the actual in-hospital mortality rate was 3.45% for CABG-only, 10.67% for CABG-plus, and 5.45% for Valve-only procedures. Transfer to another healthcare facility rather than discharge home is a common practice after cardiac surgery. A substantial percentage of in-hospital deaths occurs after discharge from the primary institution.

THE LIFE CARE CENTER OF ST. LOUIS EXPERIENCE WITH SUBACUTE CARE

The Life Care Center of St. Louis is a 100-bed, freestanding, subacute care facility. The major differences between subacute care facilities and nursing homes are described. The problems associated with dealing with medically complex conditions in a subacute care facility are stressed. The center's approach to rehabilitation is reviewed in detail. The utility of the Functional Independence Measure in subacute care settings is discussed. Common conditions seen in subacute care facilities are briefly reviewed.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Pain is a common problem encountered among elderly people in subacute and long-term care facilities. Pain often is underestimated and undertreated in these settings. Most pain problems can be improved by careful assessment and careful use of analgesic drugs and nondrug strategies. Subacute care and other long-term care facilities often present unique challenges to pain management. Clinicians who care for patients in these settings must help to establish a plan of care that is reasonable for the given resources and skills often available in these settings. Clinicians have an obligation to improve comfort and dignity for these patients, especially those near the end of life.

MANAGEMENT OF NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS IN SUBACUTE CARE

Poor nutritional status is one of the major factors associated with functional decline and mortality in older persons. Older persons are at increased risk for malnutrition because of the physiologic anorexia of aging. During a stay in a subacute care facility, attention to nutrition is a major component of the rehabilitative process. The pathophysiology of malnutrition, diagnostic techniques available to diagnose malnutrition, causes and management of protein energy malnutrition, specific nutritional problems caused by vitamin and trace element deficiency, and nutritional management of specific diseases (e.g., hip fracture and diabetes mellitus) are reviewed.

MANAGEMENT OF ELDERLY DIABETIC PATIENTS IN THE SUBACUTE CARE SETTING

Type 2 diabetes is a commonly encountered condition in the subacute care setting. The results of the landmark UK prospective studies have confirmed that aggressive glycemic and blood pressure control delayed diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications and significantly improved diabetic outcomes. Within the past few years, new drugs have been developed to address both aspects of the type 2 diabetes syndrome: insulin resistance and insulin secretory defect. C-peptide analysis may be useful to predict a successful response to therapy with insulin sensitizers or the need to initiate therapy with insulin or insulin stimulators. The issues regarding the general approach to elderly diabetics and the strategies of dealing with diabetic complications encountered in the subacute care program are discussed and updated. It is hoped that diabetic management can be improved and that suggested alternate therapies can be used in the subacute care facilities.

Nosocomial or Healthcare Facility-Related Pneumonia in Adults.

Nosocomial or hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a dynamic disease with multiple etiologic agents and a changing natural history. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is a current concern. Because of the parallels between HAP and pneumonia occurring in patients in subacute or chronic care facilities, we suggest the use of a more inclusive term for these patients: healthcare facility-related pneumonia. This article focuses on current controversies in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and prevention of bacterial HAP in adults. We endorse early, appropriate antibiotic therapy based on disease severity and the use of strategies to prevent infection, improve patient outcome, and reduce hospital costs.

Nutrition support for patients in long-term acute care and subacute care facilities.

Long-term acute care and subacute care facilities (also transitional care facilities) have evolved from the need to decrease costs associated with acute care in the hospital. As the length of stay in many medical centers has been reduced, patients are admitted to transitional care facilities to continue recovery and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation and recovery can be enhanced with the provision of optimal medical nutrition therapy. Nutrition screening is essential in identifying patients who are at risk of malnutrition or are malnourished. Nutrition assessment verifies the risk or presence of malnutrition followed by the development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition intervention. Nutrition screening and intervention promote recovery from illness, minimize morbidity and mortality, and enhance quality of life. The goals of nutrition support are to prevent starvation-associated malnutrition, preserve lean tissue mass, support metabolic functions, and improve clinical outcomes. Oral nutrition is the preferred method of nourishment; however, specialized nutrition support is considered for patients unable to meet their nutrient requirements adequately. Enteral nutrition support is recommended when providing nutrition support however, parenteral nutrition support is used when the gastrointestinal tract can not be safely used. With appropriate intention, administration, and monitoring, nutrition support can be safely administered.

Frequency of Low-Risk Hospital Admissions for Heart Failure

Heart failure is one of the most common reasons for admission to acute care hospitals. A proportion of these admissions are probably low risk and could be managed in subacute care facilities, resulting in substantial cost savings. To investigate the proportion of low-risk hospital admissions for heart failure, all admissions for heart failure to Vanderbilt University Medical Center between July 1993 and June 1995 were identified (n = 743). One hundred twenty of these admissions were randomly selected, reviewed, and classified into a high-risk versus low-risk group on admission based on the severity of heart failure and the presence of life-threatening complications. Of the 120 admissions, 57 (48%) were classified as high risk based on the presence of moderate to severe heart failure for the first time or recurrent heart failure with a major complicating factor. Sixteen admissions (28%) were associated with adverse outcomes, including myocardial infarction in 5 (9%), intubation in 6 (11%), and death in 4 (7%). Sixty-three admissions (52%) were classified as low risk based on the presence of new-onset mild heart failure or mild to moderate recurrent heart failure with no complicating factors. Most of these admissions were for dyspnea without any life-threatening complication; 57 (91%) had no evidence of interstitial or alveolar pulmonary edema, and arterial oxygen saturation averaged 95 ± 3%. Only 3 of these low risk admissions (5%) were associated with an adverse cardiovascular event. None of the patients died. These data suggest that over half of the patients admitted for heart failure to an acute care facility are low risk and probably could be managed in a subacute care setting, resulting in large cost savings.

Hospital-based rehabilitative care versus outpatient services: Effects on functioning and health status

Purpose: The goal of this clinical trial was to examine the long-term impact of rehabilitative care on the health status of patients diagnosed with a disabling disorder.Method: Study patients consisted of first-time hospitalizations from diagnostic groups commonly admitted for inpatient rehabilitation, including nervous, circulatory, and musculoskeletal disorders or injury. Patients were randomly assigned to inpatient rehabilitation (n = 43) or to outpatient follow-up (n = 42) in which the usual medical services were provided but no scheduled rehabilitative therapies were offered. Specific objectives of the study were to determine the effects of inpatient rehabilitation on: (1) functional ability, (2) health and mental health status, (3) personal adjustment, and (4) family function. Cost and use of health-care resources were descriptively assessed.Results: Analysis of covariance found no significant treatment effects, either at 6 months or at 1 year, for any of the variables under study. In addition, there were no differences between groups in their use of nursing homes, length of hospital stay, mortality, or in the number of hospital readmissions or clinic visits during the first year after hospital discharge. Use of rehabilitation services and cost of care was significantly higher than outpatient services. The findings were consistent with previous studies for most outcomes, with the major exception being functional improvements. Contrary to earlier studies, rehabilitation was not found to effectively produce lasting functional outcomes. However, study conditions may not have fully corresponded to those of previous studies, and further research is needed. The patient sample was representative of a full inpatient service and therefore more heterogeneous than samples reported in prior studies, but the small sample size (due to reductions in the number of admitted patients to the rehabilitation unit during the course of the study) precluded subgroup analysis of diagnostic groupings.Conclusions: The findings suggest that hospital-based rehabilitative care does not have lasting benefits, and that alternative care or supportive follow-up by a subacute-care facility may be needed to assist patients in maintaining functional gains and health benefits.

Anatomy of a Management System

While a Management System is no panacea for success in managed care, not having such a system can be bazardous to the health of a subacute care facility. The eight components of the Management System and how they relate to subacute care are discussed.

A Study of the Effects of Tamoxifen in the Frail Elderly: Difficulties Encountered in Nursing Home Research

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was conducted in order to determine whether the effects of tamoxifen in elderly, frail nursing home residents are similar to those that have been previously reported for younger postmenopausal women. Design: a chart review study. Setting: The Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged (JHHA), a subacute long-term care facility. Participants: One hundred fifty-eight women who had been at the JHHA at any time since 1986. One hundred ten had a history of breast cancer; 43 of these had been treated with tamoxifen while at the JHHA (Group I), and 66 had not (Group II). The remaining 49 women had no history of breast cancer (Group III). Measurements: Data were collected from the time of admission to the JHHA through August, 1994 on: chemistry profiles, bone fractures apparently not a consequence of metastasis, gynecological parameters, and thromboemboli. Results: The lack of pre-admission clinical information presented problems regarding research design and the interpretation of our findings. Nevertheless, compared to women who had not been treated with tamoxifen, treated women had a significantly elevated incidence of vaginal discharge (P = 0.01) and a lower prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (P = 0.04). Although not statistically significant, they also had decreased levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increased incidence of thromboemboli and bone fractures. Conclusions: While some of the effects of tamoxifen in elderly, frail women are similar to those observed in younger, postmenopausal women, others may be different. Our results suggest a need for further innovative studies that focus on the consequences of tamoxifen treatment in the elderly, frail population.

Business Strategies in Subacute Care

To increase market share in a managed care environment, subacute care providers must confront several issues: business strategies, information technology and human resource management. The backbone of the subacute care facility is its human resources, its link to the world is information technology and its foundation is the business plan.

APACHE II score is better than weaning indices in predicting prolonged mechanical ventilator dependence

Spontaneous minute ventilation (VE), peak inspiratory airway pressure (Plmax), rapid shallow breathing index (f/vT), relative inspiratory effect (RIE), and the P(A-a)O2, blood urea nitrogen and gender score (A + B + G) are used in predicting weaning success. Some patients are transferred from intensive care to subacute care facilities when prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) is anticipated. This prospective. observational study compares the role of weaning indices versus APACHE II score in identifying patients requiring prolonged MV.

Toward a pediatric subacute care model: Clinical and administrative features

Subacute care, like our health care system generally, is designed primarily to meet the needs of the adult patient. Emphasis on the adult patient, however, ignores the children who could be appropriately and cost-effectively treated at a subacute level of care. These children offer the most persuasive argument yet for broadening our perspective on subacute care beyond the adult model, but to do so means considering the special needs of children, particularly in the areas of family-centered and age-appropriate care. In this article, we draw upon experience at 2 pediatric subacute care facilities to (1) identify specific treatment programs for children; (2) identify essential features of program delivery; (3) discuss how the typical adult-centered model needs to be modified for children; and (4) offer amendments that make the current adult-centered definitions of subacute care more responsive to children's needs.

Toward a pediatric subacute care model: Clinical and administrative features

Subacute care, like our health care system generally, is designed primarily to meet the needs of the adult patient. Emphasis on the adult patient, however, ignores the children who could be appropriately and cost-effectively treated at a subacute level of care. These children offer the most persuasive argument yet for broadening our perspective on subacute care beyond the adult model, but to do so means considering the special needs of children, particularly in the areas of family-centered and age-appropriate care. In this article, we draw upon experience at 2 pediatric subacute care facilities to (1) identify specific treatment programs for children; (2) identify essential features of program delivery; (3) discuss how the typical adult-centered model needs to be modified for children; and (4) offer amendments that make the current adult-centered definitions of sub-acute care more responsive to children's needs.

Visual tracking behavior in low functioning head-injured adults

Objective: To analyze visual tracking patterns of low functioning head-injured adults as follow-up to finding that visual tracking performance predicts rehabilitation-ready (RR) status. Design: Case series of patients in a 4-year study of predictors of early cognitive improvement. Setting: Private subacute care facility providing sensory stimulation and slowly paced rehabilitation. Patients: Convenience sample of 76 subjects: 45 achieved RR status; 31 did not (NRR). Men = 54; Women = 22. Age at injury: 12 to 73 years (median [Md] = 27). Time postinjury at initial assessment: 25 to 365 days (Md = 57). Cognitive status at initial assessment: Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP) Score below 47. Intervention: Subjects assessed by WNSSP Visual Tracking subscale (VISTRACK) at admission and every 2 weeks thereafter for 2 to 48 months postinjury. Main Outcome Measures: VISTRACK scores for Direction (horizontal vs vertical) and Stimulus (mirror, individual, picture, object) analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively at admission and longitudinally. Results: RR subjects showed significantly higher scores at admission when tracking face in mirror versus other stimuli. No differences were observed for NRR subjects. No statistical differences seen for direction of tracking for either group, but 48% of subjects showed preference for tracking in one direction versus the other at initial assessment. Conclusions: Visual tracking not a unitary phenomenon but dependent on stimulus and direction. RR subjects' ability to track their own face in mirror seems to be critical variable in predictive value of VISTRACK subscale. Potency of human face as stimulus relates to developmental and neurophysiological factors. Awareness of effects of stimulus and direction on tracking function warrants comprehensive visual tracking assessment.