Pilot evaluation of an intermediate care scheme.
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether an intermediate care scheme could reduce the number of unnecessary emergency hospital admissions for people aged over 65.


METHODS
A retrospective documentary analysis of 57 patients' discharge summaries was undertaken.


RESULTS
The analysis identified that only 7 per cent (n = 4) of these patients were re-admitted to hospital. These admissions appeared to be necessary in light of increasing clinical instability. Thirty three per cent (n = 19) of the patients required no further interventions to remain at home. Forty seven per cent (n = 27) of the patients that remained at home were referred to other agencies for ongoing care. The most common need identified was meeting patients' hygiene needs.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot evaluation identified that only 5 per cent of patients were re-admitted to hospital, which demonstrated great potential. The integration of a health and social care team appears to have resulted in a service with the skill, vision and resources to respond to older people's needs, ensuring that they are cared for, where appropriate, at home, with the right support.
Brooks
Nicky
N
Division of Primary Care, De Montfort University, Leicester. nbrooks@dmu.ac.uk
Ashton
Amanda
A
Hainsworth
Basil
B
D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006302:Health Services Research; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007380:Intermediate Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D013222:State Medicine; D019467:Subacute Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom