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International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Review

The effect of a telephone follow-up call for older patients, discharged home from the emergency department on health-related outcomes: a systematic review of controlled studies

Authors: Merel van Loon-van Gaalen, Britt van Winsen, M. Christien van der Linden, Jacobijn Gussekloo, Roos C. van der Mast

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Older patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Transitional care programs offer close surveillance after discharge, but are costly. Telephone follow-up (TFU) may be a low-cost and feasible alternative for transitional care programs, but its effects on health-related outcomes are not clear.

Aim

We systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate the effects of TFU by health care professionals after ED discharge to an unassisted living environment on health-related outcomes in older patients compared to controls.

Methods

We conducted a multiple electronic database search up until December 2019 for controlled studies examining the effects of TFU by health care professionals for patients aged ≥65 years, discharged to an unassisted living environment from a hospital ED. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and risk of bias.

Results

Of the 748 citations, two randomized controlled trials (including a total of 2120 patients) met review selection criteria. In both studies, intervention group patients received a scripted telephone intervention from a trained nurse and control patients received a patient satisfaction survey telephone call or usual care. No demonstrable benefits of TFU were found on ED return visits, hospitalization, acquisition of prescribed medication, and compliance with follow-up appointments. However, many eligible patients were not included, because they were not reached or refused to participate.

Conclusions

No benefits of a scripted TFU call from a nurse were found on health services utilization and discharge plan adherence by older patients after ED discharge. As the number of high-quality studies was limited, more research is needed to determine the effect and feasibility of TFU in different older populations.
PROSPERO registration number CRD42019141403.
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Metadata
Title
The effect of a telephone follow-up call for older patients, discharged home from the emergency department on health-related outcomes: a systematic review of controlled studies
Authors
Merel van Loon-van Gaalen
Britt van Winsen
M. Christien van der Linden
Jacobijn Gussekloo
Roos C. van der Mast
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-021-00336-x

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