title: [Intermediate hospital care for subacute elderly patients as an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the rapid discharge of older patients with reactivated chronic diseases from an acute general hospital to an intermediate care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort study was carried out. Compliance with predefined quality standards and patient selection were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight patients (mean age 82.6 years, 48.5% men) were discharged from the emergency department (69.1%) or medical wards (mean [SD] global length of stay 2.6 [2.9] days in acute wards and 1.5 [1.6] days in the emergency department). Mean post-acute length of stay (SD) was 11.4 (4.2) days. Fifty-six patients (82.4%) were discharged to their previous living situation (home or nursing home), two back to the emergency department, seven to long-term care, and three died. All quality standards were met. In a multivariate analysis, male gender and a higher risk of malnutrition were associated with an increased risk of not returning to the previous living situation (p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intermediate care for selected patients with reactivated chronic diseases might represent an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization.
authors: Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili, Barcelona, España. minzitari@perevirgili.catsalut.net
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Inzitari
authors: Lluís
authors: L
authors: Espinosa Serralta
authors: María Carmen
authors: MC
authors: Pérez Bocanegra
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Roquè Fíguls
authors: Josep Maria
authors: JM
authors: Argimón Pallàs
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Farré Calpe
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007380:Intermediate Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D010360:Patient Transfer; D012306:Risk; D019467:Subacute Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*