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BMC Geriatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Geriatric Assessment | Research article

The impact of early comprehensive geriatric screening on the readmission rate in an acute geriatric ward: a quasi-experimental study

Authors: Kun-Pei Lin, Jen-Hau Chen, Feng-Ping Lu, Chiung-Jung Wen, Ding-Cheng (Derrick) Chan

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Unplanned readmission is an important healthcare quality issue. We studied the effect of a comprehensive geriatric screen (CGS) in the early admission course followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment on readmission rates in elderly patients.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study with a historical comparison group was conducted in the geriatric ward of a referral centre in northern Taiwan. Older adults (aged > = 65 y/o) admitted from June 2013 to December 2013 were recruited for the geriatric screen group (N = 377). Patients admitted to the same ward from July 2011 to June 2012 were selected for the historical group (N = 380). The CGS was administered within the first 48 h after admission and was followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Confounding risk factors included age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, Barthel index score and medical utilization (length of stay and number of admissions), which were controlled using logistic regression models. We also developed a scoring system to identify the group that would potentially benefit the most from the early CGS.

Results

The 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the early CGS group than in the historical comparison group (11.4% vs 16.9%, p = 0.03). After adjusting for confounding variables, the hazard ratio of the early CGS group was 0.64 (95% CI 0.43–0.95). After scoring the potential benefit to the patients in the early CGS group, the log rank test showed a significant difference (p = 0.001 in the high-potential group and p = 0.98 in the low-potential group).

Conclusion

An early CGS followed by a CGA may significantly reduce the 30-day readmission rate of elderly patients.

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Title: The impact of early comprehensive geriatric screening on the readmission rate in an acute geriatric ward: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Kun-Pei Lin
Jen-Hau Chen
Feng-Ping Lu
Chiung-Jung Wen
Ding-Cheng (Derrick) Chan
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Geriatric Assessment
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1312-y

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