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Sass J, Hampton D, Edward J, Cardarelli R. Evaluation of the Impact of Discharge Clinic Follow-Up Interventions on 30-Day Readmission Rates. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:137-142. [PMID: 38484314 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Care transition programs can result in cost avoidance and decreased resource utilization. This project aimed to determine whether implementation of a discharge clinic, referral to a community paramedicine program, or a second postdischarge call affected 30-day readmission rates. This single-center retrospective exploratory design study included 727 discharged patients without access to a primary care provider who were scheduled for a discharge clinic transitions appointment. Readmission rates were 17.7% for those who completed a discharge appointment and 24.7% for those who did not; 4% for those completing a second postdischarge call and 26% for those who did not; and 11.1% for those referred to a community paramedicine program and 24.9% for those not referred. A completed discharge clinic appointment resulted in 36% lower odds of readmission. A completed discharge clinic appointment was effective in reducing 30-day readmission rates as was a follow-up call.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Sass
- Family & Community Medicine, UK Healthcare, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Debra Hampton
- University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jean Edward
- UK College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, UK Healthcare, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Ackermann RT, Liss DT, French DD, Cooper AJ, Aikman C, Schaeffer C. Randomized Trial Evaluating Health System Expenditures with Transitional Care Services for Adults with No Usual Source of Care at Discharge. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3832-3838. [PMID: 35266127 PMCID: PMC9640508 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07473-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidisciplinary transitional care services reduce readmissions for high-risk patients, but it is unclear if health system costs to offer these intensive services are offset by avoidance of higher downstream expenditures. OBJECTIVE To evaluate net costs for a health system offering transitional care services DESIGN: One-year pragmatic, randomized trial PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥ 18 without a usual source of follow-up care at the time of hospital discharge were enrolled through a high-volume, urban academic medical center in Chicago, IL, USA, from September 2015 through February 2016. INTERVENTIONS Eligible patients were silently randomized before discharge by an automated electronic health record algorithm allocating them in a 1:3 ratio to receive routine coordination of post-discharge care (RC) versus being offered intensive, multidisciplinary transitional care (TC) services. MAIN MEASUREMENTS Health system costs were collected from facility administrative systems and transformed to standardized costs using Medicare reference files. Multivariable generalized linear models estimated proportional differences in net costs over one year. KEY RESULTS Study patients (489 TC; 164 RC) had a mean age of 44 years; 34% were uninsured, 55% had public insurance, and 49% self-identified as Black or Latinx. Over 90 days, cost differences between groups were not statistically significant. Over 180 days, the TC group had 41% lower ED/observation costs (adjusted cost ratio [aCR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.97), 50% lower inpatient costs (aCR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27-0.95), and 41% lower total healthcare costs (aCR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.99) than the RC group. Over 365 days, total cost differences remained of similar magnitude but no longer were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Offering TC services for vulnerable adults at discharge reduced net health system expenditures over 180 days. The promising economic case for multidisciplinary transitional care interventions warrants further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION National Clinical Trials Registry (NCT03066492).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald T Ackermann
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - David T Liss
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Dustin D French
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew J Cooper
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Cassandra Aikman
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Christine Schaeffer
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 609, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Malebranche M, Sarivalasis A, Peters S, Mathevet P, Cornuz J, Bodenmann P. Primary Care-Led Transition Clinics Hold Promise in Improving Care Transitions for Cancer Patients Facing Social Disparities: A Commentary. J Prim Care Community Health 2021; 11:2150132720957455. [PMID: 32909512 PMCID: PMC7495511 DOI: 10.1177/2150132720957455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transitions in care are key junctions during which care coordination, communication, and
individualized support are required to ensure optimal health outcomes for patients. This
is particularly true for patients who face social disparities, such as poverty, limited
health literacy, or belonging to a racial or ethnic minority, who are particularly at risk
for experiencing poor care transitions. Interdisciplinary primary care-led transition
clinics are an intervention that have shown promise in improving care transitions for
diverse patient populations, including those that face social disparities, but their role
in improving transitions in cancer care remains largely untapped. In this commentary we
highlight why the time-limited support of an interdisciplinary primary care-led transition
clinic that targets socially vulnerable cancer patients holds the promise of achieving
more equitable healthcare access, healthcare quality, and ultimately more equitable health
outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Malebranche
- Unisanté, University Centre of General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Solange Peters
- Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Jacques Cornuz
- Unisanté, University Centre of General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Bodenmann
- Unisanté, University Centre of General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Effects of a Transitional Care Practice for a Vulnerable Population: a Pragmatic, Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial. J Gen Intern Med 2019; 34:1758-1765. [PMID: 31144279 PMCID: PMC6712181 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited experimental evidence on transitional care interventions beyond 30 days post-discharge and in vulnerable populations. OBJECTIVE Evaluate effects of a transitional care practice (TC) that comprehensively addresses patients' medical and psychosocial needs following hospital discharge. DESIGN Pragmatic, randomized comparative effectiveness trial. PATIENTS Adults discharged from an initial emergency, observation, or inpatient hospital encounter with no trusted usual source of care. INTERVENTIONS TC intervention included a scheduled post-discharge appointment at the TC practice, where a multidisciplinary team comprehensively assessed patients' medical and psychosocial needs, addressed modifiable barriers, and subsequent linkage to a new primary care source. Routine Care involved assistance scheduling a post-discharge appointment with a primary care provider that often partnered with the hospital where the initial encounter occurred. MAIN MEASURES The primary outcome was a binary indicator of death or additional hospital encounters within 90 days of initial discharge. Secondary outcomes included any additional hospital encounters, and counts of hospital encounters, over 180 days. KEY RESULTS Four hundred ninety patients were randomized to TC intervention and 164 to Routine Care; 34.6% were uninsured, 49.7% had Medicaid, and 57.4% were homeless or lived in a high-poverty area. There was no significant difference between arms in the 90-day probability of death or additional hospital encounters (relative risk [RR] 0.89; 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-1.13). However, TC patients had 37% and 35% lower probability of any inpatient admission over 90 days (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.43-0.91) and 180 days (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.47-0.89), respectively. Over 180 days, TC patients had 42% fewer inpatient admissions (incidence rate ratio 0.58; 95% CI 0.37-0.90). CONCLUSIONS Among patients randomized to a patient-centered transitional care intervention, there was no significant reduction in 90-day probability of death or additional hospital encounters. However, there were significant decreases in measures of inpatient admissions over 180 days. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03066492.
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