Comprehensive discharge planning for hospitalized elderly: a pilot study.
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to examine the effects of a comprehensive discharge planning protocol implemented by a gerontological nurse specialist as compared to the hospital's general discharge planning procedure. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in length of initial patient hospitalization or in rates of posthospital infections. A statistically significant difference was found when groups were compared on the number of subjects rehospitalized during the study period. The findings of this pilot study reinforce the need for continued study of the impact of comprehensive discharge planning for hospitalized elderly.
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia.
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MD
Naylor
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000191:economics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic