1
|
Tate K, Cummings G, Jacobsen F, Halas G, Van den Bergh G, Devkota R, Shrestha S, Doupe M. Strategies to Improve Emergency Transitions From Long-Term Care Facilities: A Scoping Review. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnae036. [PMID: 38661440 PMCID: PMC11184529 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnae036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Older adults residing in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) often experience substandard transitions to emergency departments (EDs) through rationed and delayed ED care. We aimed to identify research describing interventions to improve transitions from RACFs to EDs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In our scoping review, we included English language articles that (a) examined an intervention to improve transitions from RACF to EDs; and (b) focused on older adults (≥65 years). We employed content analysis. Dy et al.'s Care Transitions Framework was used to assess the contextualization of interventions and measurement of implementation success. RESULTS Interventions in 28 studies included geriatric assessment or outreach services (n = 7), standardized documentation forms (n = 6), models of care to improve transitions from RACFs to EDs (n = 6), telehealth services (n = 3), nurse-led care coordination programs (n = 2), acute-care geriatric departments (n = 2), an extended paramedicine program (n = 1), and a web-based referral system (n = 1). Many studies (n = 17) did not define what "improvement" entailed and instead assessed documentation strategies and distal outcomes (e.g., hospital admission rates, length of stay). Few authors reported how they contextualized interventions to align with care environments and/or evaluated implementation success. Few studies included clinician perspectives and no study examined resident- or family/friend caregiver-reported outcomes. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Mixed or nonsignificant results prevent us from recommending (or discouraging) any interventions. Given the complexity of these transitions and the need to create sustainable improvement strategies, future research should describe strategies used to embed innovations in care contexts and to measure both implementation and intervention success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Tate
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Greta Cummings
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Frode Jacobsen
- Centre for Care Research, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Vestland, Norway
| | - Gayle Halas
- School of Dental Hygiene, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Graziella Van den Bergh
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Vestland, Norway
| | - Rashmi Devkota
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shovana Shrestha
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Malcolm Doupe
- Rady Faculty Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ciminata G, Burton JK, Quinn TJ, Geue C. Understanding Pathways into Care-homes using Data (UnPiCD study): a two-part model to estimate inpatient and care-home costs using national linked health and social care data. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:281. [PMID: 38443919 PMCID: PMC10916167 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10675-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathways into care-homes have been under-researched. Individuals who move-in to a care-home from hospital are clinically distinct from those moving-in from the community. However, it remains unclear whether the source of care-home admission has any implications in term of costs. Our aim was to quantify hospital and care-home costs for individuals newly moving-in to care homes to compare those moving-in from hospital to those moving-in from the community. METHODS Using routinely-collected national social care and health data we constructed a cohort including people moving into care-homes from hospital and community settings between 01/04/2013-31/03/2015 based on records from the Scottish Care-Home Census (SCHC). Individual-level data were obtained from Scottish Morbidity Records (SMR01/04/50) and death records from National Records of Scotland (NRS). Unit costs were identified from NHS Scotland costs data and care-home costs from the SCHC. We used a two-part model to estimate costs conditional on having incurred positive costs. Additional analyses estimated differences in costs for the one-year period preceding and following care-home admission. RESULTS We included 14,877 individuals moving-in to a care-home, 8,472 (57%) from hospital, and 6,405 (43%) from the community. Individuals moving-in to care-homes from the community incurred higher costs at £27,117 (95% CI £ 26,641 to £ 27,594) than those moving-in from hospital with £24,426 (95% CI £ 24,037 to £ 24,814). Hospital costs incurred during the year preceding care-home admission were substantially higher (£8,323 (95% CI£8,168 to £8,477) compared to those incurred after moving-in to care-home (£1,670 (95% CI£1,591 to £1,750). CONCLUSION Individuals moving-in from hospital and community have different needs, and this is reflected in the difference in costs incurred. The reduction in hospital costs in the year after moving-in to a care-home indicates the positive contribution of care-home residency in supporting those with complex needs. These data provide an important contribution to inform capacity planning on care provision for adults with complex needs and the costs of care provision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Ciminata
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K..
| | - J K Burton
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K
| | - T J Quinn
- Academic Geriatric Medicine, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K
| | - C Geue
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Javier Afonso-Argilés F, Comas Serrano M, Castells Oliveres X, Cirera Lorenzo I, García Pérez D, Pujadas Lafarga T, Ichart Tomás X, Puig-Campmany M, Vena Martínez AB, Renom-Guiteras A. Emergency department admissions and economic costs burden related to ambulatory care sensitive conditions in older adults living in care homes. Rev Clin Esp 2023; 223:585-595. [PMID: 37838224 DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2023.10.001] [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] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the frequency of emergency department admissions (EDA) for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and non-ACSC among older adults living in care homes (CH), to describe and compare their demographic and clinical characteristics, the outcomes of the hospitalisation process and the associated costs. METHOD This multicenter, retrospective and observational study evaluated 2444 EDAs of older adults ≥ 65 years old living in care homes in 5 emergency departments in Catalonia (Spain) by ACSC and non-ACSC, in 2017. Sociodemographic variables, prior functional and cognitive status, and information on diagnosis and hospitalisation were collected. Additionally, the costs related with the EDAs were calculated, as well as a sensitivity analysis using different assumptions of decreased admissions due to ACSC. RESULTS A total of 2444 ED admissions were analysed. The patients' mean (SD) age was 85.9 (7.2) years. The frequency of ACSC-EDA and non-ACSC-EDA was 56.6% and 43.4%, respectively. Severe dependency and cognitive impairment were present in 56.6% and 78%, respectively, with no differences between the two groups. The three most frequent ACSC were falls/trauma (13.8%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma (11.4%) and urinary tract infection (7.4%). The average cost per ACSC-EDA was є1,408.24. Assuming a 60% reduction of ACSC-EDA, the estimated cost savings would be є1.2 million. CONCLUSIONS Emergency admissions for ACSC from care homes have a significant impact on both frequency and costs. Reducing these conditions through targeted interventions could redirect the avoided costs towards improving care support in residential settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Javier Afonso-Argilés
- Servicio de Geriatría, Fundació Sanitària Mollet, Barcelona, Spain; Estudiante de doctorado de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - M Comas Serrano
- Servicio de Epidemiología y Evaluación, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain
| | - X Castells Oliveres
- Servicio de Epidemiología y Evaluación, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - D García Pérez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Fundació Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitaria de Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Pujadas Lafarga
- Servicio de Geriatría y Cuidados Paliativos, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Ichart Tomás
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | - M Puig-Campmany
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A B Vena Martínez
- Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | - A Renom-Guiteras
- Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain; Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chambers D, Cantrell A, Preston L, Marincowitz C, Wright L, Conroy S, Lee Gordon A. Reducing unplanned hospital admissions from care homes: a systematic review. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2023; 11:1-130. [PMID: 37916580 DOI: 10.3310/klpw6338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Care homes predominantly care for older people with complex health and care needs, who are at high risk of unplanned hospital admissions. While often necessary, such admissions can be distressing and provide an opportunity cost as well as a financial cost. Objectives Our objective was to update a 2014 evidence review of interventions to reduce unplanned admissions of care home residents. We carried out a systematic review of interventions used in the UK and other high-income countries by synthesising evidence of effects of these interventions on hospital admissions; feasibility and acceptability; costs and value for money; and factors affecting applicability of international evidence to UK settings. Data sources We searched the following databases in December 2021 for studies published since 2014: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Health Management Information Consortium; Medline; PsycINFO; Science and Social Sciences Citation Indexes; Social Care Online; and Social Service Abstracts. 'Grey' literature (January 2022) and citations were searched and reference lists were checked. Methods We included studies of any design reporting interventions delivered in care homes (with or without nursing) or hospitals to reduce unplanned hospital admissions. A taxonomy of interventions was developed from an initial scoping search. Outcomes of interest included measures of effect on unplanned admissions among care home residents; barriers/facilitators to implementation in a UK setting and acceptability to care home residents, their families and staff. Study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. We used published frameworks to extract data on intervention characteristics, implementation barriers/facilitators and applicability of international evidence. We performed a narrative synthesis grouped by intervention type and setting. Overall strength of evidence for admission reduction was assessed using a framework based on study design, study numbers and direction of effect. Results We included 124 publications/reports (30 from the UK). Integrated care and quality improvement programmes providing additional support to care homes (e.g. the English Care Homes Vanguard initiatives and hospital-based services in Australia) appeared to reduce unplanned admissions relative to usual care. Simpler training and staff development initiatives showed mixed results, as did interventions aimed at tackling specific problems (e.g. medication review). Advance care planning was key to the success of most quality improvement programmes but do-not-hospitalise orders were problematic. Qualitative research identified tensions affecting decision-making involving paramedics, care home staff and residents/family carers. The best way to reduce end-of-life admissions through access to palliative care was unclear in the face of inconsistent and generally low-quality evidence. Conclusions Effective implementation of interventions at various stages of residents' care pathways may reduce unplanned admissions. Most interventions are complex and require adaptation to local contexts. Work at the interface between health and social care is key to successful implementation. Limitations Much of the evidence identified was of low quality because of factors such as uncontrolled study designs and small sample size. Meta-analysis was not possible. Future work We identified a need for improved economic evidence and the evaluation of integrated care models of the type delivered by hospital-based teams. Researchers should carefully consider what is realistic in terms of study design and data collection given the current context of extreme pressure on care homes. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO database CRD42021289418. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (award number NIHR133884) and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. 18. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Chambers
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anna Cantrell
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Louise Preston
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Carl Marincowitz
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Simon Conroy
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, UK
| | - Adam Lee Gordon
- Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences (IRIS), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Udesen SEJ, Rasmussen CH, Mikkelsen S, Andersen N, Brabrand M, Lassen AT. Mobile emergency department care to nursing home residents: a novel outreach service. Age Ageing 2023; 52:7066942. [PMID: 36861182 PMCID: PMC9978309 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Every month, 6% of Danish nursing home residents are admitted to hospital. However, these admissions might have limited benefits and are associated with an increased risk of complications. We initiated a new mobile service comprising consultants performing emergency care in nursing homes. OBJECTIVE Describe the new service, the recipients of this service, hospital admission patterns and 90-day mortality. DESIGN A descriptive observational study. MODEL When an ambulance is requested to a nursing home, the emergency medical dispatch centre simultaneously dispatches a consultant from the emergency department who will provide an emergency evaluation and decisions regarding treatment at the scene in collaboration with municipal acute care nurses. METHOD We describe the characteristics of all nursing home contacts from 1st November 2020 to 31st December 2021. The outcome measures were hospital admissions and 90-day mortality. Data were extracted from the patients' electronic hospital records and prospectively registered data. RESULTS We identified 638 contacts (495 individuals). The new service had a median of two (interquartile range: 2-3) new contacts per day. The most frequent diagnoses were related to infections, unspecific symptoms, falls, trauma and neurologic disease. Seven out of eight residents remained at home following treatment, 20% had an unplanned hospital admission within 30 days and 90-day mortality was 36.4%. CONCLUSION Transitioning emergency care from hospitals to nursing homes could present an opportunity for providing optimised care to a vulnerable population and limiting unnecessary transfers and admissions to hospitals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stine Emilie Junker Udesen
- Emergency Medicine Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | | | - Søren Mikkelsen
- The Prehospital Research Unit, the Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Nina Andersen
- The Department of the Elderly and Disabled, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Brabrand
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Annmarie Touborg Lassen
- Address correspondence to: Annmarie Touborg Lassen, Department of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark, and Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark. Tel: +45 65405048.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Simpson G, Entwistle C, Short AD, Morciano M, Stokes J. A typology of integrated care policies in the care home sector: A policy document analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:943351. [PMID: 36895695 PMCID: PMC9989008 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.943351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Health and social care systems in many countries have begun to trial and adopt "integrated" approaches. Yet, the significant role care homes play within the health and social care system is often understated. A key first step to identifying the care home integration interventions that are most (cost-)effective is the ability to precisely identify and record what has been implemented, where, and when-a "policy map." Methods To address gaps relating to the identification and recording of (cost-)effective integrated care home interventions, we developed a new typology tool. We conducted a policy mapping exercise in a devolved region of England-Greater Manchester (GM). Specifically, we carried out systematic policy documentary searches and extracted a range of qualitative data relating to integrated health and social care initiatives in the GM region for care homes. The data were then classified according to existing national ambitions for England as well as a generic health systems framework to illustrate gaps in existing recording tools and to iteratively develop a novel approach. Results A combined total of 124 policy documents were identified and screened, in which 131 specific care home integration initiatives were identified. Current initiatives emphasized monitoring quality in care homes, workforce training, and service delivery changes (such as multi-disciplinary teams). There was comparatively little emphasis on financing or other incentive changes to stimulate provider behavior for the care home setting. We present a novel typology for capturing and comparing care home integration policy initiatives, largely conceptualizing which part of the system or specific transition point the care home integration is targeting, or whether there is a broader cross-cutting system intervention being enacted, such as digital or financial interventions. Conclusions Our typology builds on the gaps in current frameworks, including previous lack of specificity to care homes and lack of adaptability to new and evolving initiatives internationally. It could provide a useful tool for policymakers to identify gaps in the implementation of initiatives within their own areas, while also allowing researchers to evaluate what works most effectively and efficiently in future research based on a comprehensive policy map.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Simpson
- Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrea D Short
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Marcello Morciano
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Marco Biagi Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Research Centre for the Analysis of Public Policies, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jonathan Stokes
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Penneau A. Do mobile hospital teams in residential aged care facilities increase health care efficiency: an evaluation of French residential care policy. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2022:1-15. [PMID: 36131213 PMCID: PMC9492467 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-022-01522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Patients in residential aged care facilities (RACF) are frequently admitted to hospital since the RACF often lack adequate medical resources. Different economic agents, whose missions and funding may conflict, provide care for RACF residents: residential facility, primary care physicians, and hospital. In this article, I estimate the economic impact of employing a mobile hospital team (MHT) in RACF, which modifies the relationship between these three agents by providing care directly in RACF. METHOD A national, patient level database on RACF from 2014 to 2017 is used to calculate RACF outcome indicators. I analyse the difference between RACFs, that use MHT for the first time during the period (treatment group), and those that did not use MHT at all in the same period using a difference in difference (DID) model. RESULTS The MHT had a significant impact on health care quality in treated RACFs and reduced the number of patients transferred to hospital and the number of emergency department visits, and increased palliative care utilisation at the end-of-life, without increasing total hospital expenditure. CONCLUSION MHT appear improve care quality in RACFs by filling the gap in care needs including better end of life care, without increasing health expenditure. Given the high number of hospital transfers especially towards the end of life, securing the right level and mix of social and medical resources in RACFs is essential. Transferring some competencies of MHT teams to residential facilities may improve the quality of life of residents while improving allocative efficiency of public resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Penneau
- Institute for Research and Information in Health Economics (IRDES), 117 bis rue Manin, 75019, Paris, France.
- Department of Economics (LEDa) Paris-Dauphine University PSL, Place du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 75016, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Udesen SEJ, Nielsen DS, Andersen N, Rasmussen CH, Mikkelsen S, Braband M, Lassen A. Healthcare professionals' experience with emergency department-based acute care performed within nursing homes. Age Ageing 2022; 51:6670560. [PMID: 35977148 PMCID: PMC9385181 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND hospital admissions of residents from nursing homes often lead to delirium, infections, mortality and reduced functional capacity. We initiated a new service, 'emergency department-based acute care service', maintained by consultants from an emergency department (ED) moving emergency care from the hospitals into nursing homes. OBJECTIVE this study explored healthcare professionals' experiences with this service. DESIGN qualitative semi-structured focus group discussions. INTERVENTION/SETTING the new service provides acute on-site evaluation and treatment to nursing home residents following calls to the emergency dispatch centre. METHODS we conducted focus groups with general practitioners, prehospital personnel, municipal acute care nurses, ED staff and nursing home staff. The analysis was performed using the iterative and explorative approach, 'systematic text condensation'. RESULTS the participants considered the service as a meaningful and appropriate alternative to hospital admission, as the treatment can be tailored to meet the residents' wishes and daily capabilities. This was experienced to promote dignity for the residents by reducing unnecessary transfers to the ED and the residents could remain in familiar surroundings with staff who knew their habitual behaviour and history. The nursing home staff contributed valuable information to the ED consultants' decision-making. The service made it possible to base the decision-making on complete patient pictures, as the ED consultants had the time to get to understand the residents. CONCLUSION acute care at nursing homes provides an alternative to routine admissions to hospitals and enables healthcare professionals to provide more dignity in the care of nursing home residents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorthe Susanne Nielsen
- Migrant Health Clinic and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 23, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Nina Andersen
- Acute Team Odense, Department of the Elderly and Disabled, Odense Municipality, Ørbækvej 100, 5220 Odense, Denmark
| | - Claus-Henrik Rasmussen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 25, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren Mikkelsen
- The Prehospital Research Unit, the Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløwsvej 4, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Braband
- Emergency Medicine Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark, Kløvervænget 25, 5000 Odense, Denmark,Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 25, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Annmarie Lassen
- Emergency Medicine Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark, Kløvervænget 25, 5000 Odense, Denmark,Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 25, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Grimm F, Johansen A, Knight H, Brine R, Deeny SR. Indirect effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital mortality in patients with hip fracture: a competing risk survival analysis using linked administrative data. BMJ Qual Saf 2022; 32:264-273. [PMID: 35914925 PMCID: PMC10176403 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-014896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hip fracture is a leading cause of disability and mortality among older people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, orthopaedic care pathways in the National Health Service in England were restructured to manage pressures on hospital capacity. We examined the indirect consequences of the pandemic for hospital mortality among older patients with hip fracture, admitted from care homes or the community. METHODS Retrospective analysis of linked care home and hospital inpatient data for patients with hip fracture aged 65 years and over admitted to hospitals in England during the first year of the pandemic (1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021) or during the previous year. We performed survival analysis, adjusting for case mix and COVID-19 infection, and considered live discharge as a competing risk. We present cause-specific hazard ratios (HRCS) for the effect of admission year on hospital mortality risk. RESULTS During the first year of the pandemic, there were 55 648 hip fracture admissions: a 5.2% decrease on the previous year. 9.5% of patients had confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Hospital stays were substantially shorter (p<0.05), and there was a higher daily chance of discharge (HRCS 1.40, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.41). Overall hip fracture inpatient mortality increased (7.2% in 2020/2021 vs 6.4% in 2019/2020), but patients without concomitant COVID-19 infection had lower mortality rates compared with the year before (5.3%). Admission during the pandemic was associated with a 11% increase in the daily risk of hospital death for patients with hip fracture (HRCS 1.11, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.16). CONCLUSIONS Although COVID-19 infections led to increases in hospital mortality, overall hospital mortality risk for older patients with hip fracture remained largely stable during the first year of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Antony Johansen
- University Hospital of Wales and Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.,National Hip Fracture Database, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gordon AL, Spilsbury K, Achterberg WP, Adams R, Jones L, Goodman C. From Warkworth House to the 21st century care homes: progress marked by persistent challenges. Age Ageing 2022; 51:6648795. [PMID: 35871527 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term care homes play an essential role within health and social care. Successful measures to support older people at home for longer have led to increased prevalence of disability, frailty and cognitive impairment in those who live in care homes over the last two decades. The need for care home places is projected to increase for the next two decades. Modern care homes provide care for people who are predominantly over 80, have multiple long-term conditions, take multiple medicines, are physically dependent and live with cognitive impairment. Residents do better when services recognise the contributions of staff and care home providers rather than treating residents as individual patients living in a communal setting. There is a strong case given residents' frailty, multimorbidity and disability, that care should be structured around Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Care should be designed to allow opportunities for multiprofessional teams to come together for CGA, particularly if healthcare professionals are based outside care homes. Good data about care homes and residents are central to efforts to deliver high quality care-in some countries, these data are collected but not collated. Collating such data is a priority. Care home staff are under-recognised and underpaid-parity of pay and opportunity with NHS staff is the bare minimum to ensure that the best are recruited and retained in the sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, residents and relatives have frequently been left out of decisions about policies that affect them, and better consultation is needed to deliver high quality care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Gordon
- Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences (IRIS), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham DE22 3NE, UK.,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration-East Midlands (ARC-EM), Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Karen Spilsbury
- School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9DA, UK.,NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaboration, Leeds LS2 9DA, UK
| | - Wilco P Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
| | - Rich Adams
- Sears Healthcare Ltd, Newbury RG14 1JN, UK
| | - Liz Jones
- National Care Forum, London CV1 2TE, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK.,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration-East of England (ARC-EoE), Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Burton JK, Wolters AT, Towers AM, Jones L, Meyer J, Gordon AL, Irvine L, Hanratty B, Spilsbury K, Peryer G, Rand S, Killett A, Akdur G, Allan S, Biswas P, Goodman C. Developing a minimum data set for older adult care homes in the UK: exploring the concept and defining early core principles. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e186-e193. [PMID: 35282598 PMCID: PMC8901193 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reforms to social care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the UK and internationally, place data at the heart of proposed innovations and solutions. The principles are not well established of what constitutes core, or minimum, data to support care home residents. Often, what is included privileges data on resident health over day-to-day care priorities and quality of life. This Personal View argues for evidence-based principles on which to base the development of a UK minimum data set (MDS) for care homes. Co-produced work involving care home staff and older people working with stakeholders is required to define and agree the format, content, structure, and operationalisation of the MDS. Implementation decisions will determine the success of the MDS, affecting aspects including data quality, completeness, and usability. Care home staff who collect the data need to benefit from the MDS and see value in their contribution, and residents must derive benefit from data collection and synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kirsty Burton
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK,Correspondence to: Dr Jennifer Kirsty Burton, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
| | | | - Ann-Marie Towers
- Centre for Health Services Studies, Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey and Sussex, UK
| | | | - Julienne Meyer
- National Care Forum, Coventry, UK,School of Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Adam Lee Gordon
- Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, UK
| | - Lisa Irvine
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Barbara Hanratty
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, UK
| | - Karen Spilsbury
- School of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber, UK
| | - Guy Peryer
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
| | - Stacey Rand
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Anne Killett
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
| | - Gizdem Akdur
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Stephen Allan
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Priti Biswas
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chadborn NH, Devi R, Williams C, Sartain K, Goodman C, Gordon AL. GPs’ involvement to improve care quality in care homes in the UK: a realist review. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr09200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Organising health-care services for residents living in care homes is an important area of development in the UK and elsewhere. Medical care is provided by general practitioners in the UK, and the unique arrangement of the NHS means that general practitioners are also gatekeepers to other health services. Despite recent focus on improving health care for residents, there is a lack of knowledge about the role of general practitioners.
Objectives
First, to review reports of research and quality improvement (or similar change management) in care homes to explore how general practitioners have been involved. Second, to develop programme theories explaining the role of general practitioners in improvement initiatives and outcomes.
Design
A realist review was selected to address the complexity of integration of general practice and care homes.
Setting
Care homes for older people in the UK, including residential and nursing homes.
Participants
The focus of the literature review was the general practitioner, along with care home staff and other members of multidisciplinary teams. Alongside the literature, we interviewed general practitioners and held consultations with a Context Expert Group, including a care home representative.
Interventions
The primary search did not specify interventions, but captured the range of interventions reported. Secondary searches focused on medication review and end-of-life care because these interventions have described general practitioner involvement.
Outcomes
We sought to capture processes or indicators of good-quality care.
Data sources
Sources were academic databases [including MEDLINE, EMBASE™ (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycInfo® (American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA), Web of Science™ (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA, USA) and Cochrane Collaboration] and grey literature using Google Scholar (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA).
Methods
Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) guidelines were followed, comprising literature scoping, interviews with general practitioners, iterative searches of academic databases and grey literature, and synthesis and development of overarching programme theories.
Results
Scoping indicated the distinctiveness of the health and care system in UK and, because quality improvement is context dependent, we decided to focus on UK studies because of potential problems in synthesising across diverse systems. Searches identified 73 articles, of which 43 were excluded. To summarise analysis, programme theory 1 was ‘negotiated working with general practitioners’ where other members of the multidisciplinary team led initiatives and general practitioners provided support with the parts of improvement where their skills as primary care doctors were specifically required. Negotiation enabled matching of the diverse ways of working of general practitioners with diverse care home organisations. We found evidence that this could result in improvements in prescribing and end-of-life care for residents. Programme theory 2 included national or regional programmes that included clearly specified roles for general practitioners. This provided clarity of expectation, but the role that general practitioners actually played in delivery was not clear.
Limitations
One reviewer screened all search results, but two reviewers conducted selection and data extraction steps.
Conclusions
If local quality improvement initiatives were flexible, then they could be used to negotiate to build a trusting relationship with general practitioners, with evidence from specific examples, and this could improve prescribing and end-of-life care for residents. Larger improvement programmes aimed to define working patterns and build suitable capacity in care homes, but there was little evidence about the extent of local general practitioner involvement.
Future work
Future work should describe the specific role, capacity and expertise of general practitioners, as well as the diversity of relationships between general practitioners and care homes.
Study registration
This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019137090.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 20. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil H Chadborn
- Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration – East Midlands (ARC-EM), Nottingham, UK
| | - Reena Devi
- School of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Kathleen Sartain
- Dementia and Frail Older Persons Patient and Public Involvement Group, Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration – East of England (ARC-EoE), Cambridge, UK
| | - Adam L Gordon
- Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration – East Midlands (ARC-EM), Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Udesen SEJ, Nielsen DS, Andersen N, Østervang C, Lassen AT. Municipal acute care teams as a flexible solution for the treatment of acutely ill patients at-home: a mixed-method study of patients' and caregivers' experiences with an acute care team. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e049945. [PMID: 34389578 PMCID: PMC8365789 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Development of initiatives to reduce hospitalisations is a major focus of healthcare planning. Strengthening the community with municipal acute care teams or units is a newly implemented Danish initiative aimed at preventing hospitalisations and supporting more flexible services. This study aims to describe patients treated by a municipal acute care team and to explore patients' and caregivers' experiences with at-home treatment. DESIGN A mixed-method study consisting of descriptive statistics of patients treated by an acute care team, and quantitative and qualitative data from follow-up telephone questionnaires with patients and caregivers. SETTING The acute care team, 'Acute Team Odense' (ATO), in the Odense Municipality, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS Patients treated by ATO and their caregivers. ATO treated 3231 patients (5676 contacts) in the period of 2018-2019. RESULTS Average number of new contacts per day was 7.8, and the median treatment-length was 1 day. Patients were referred by various healthcare providers and most often by general practitioners, municipal staff and hospital staff. The median age of the patients was 80 years, and 20% were independent before the treatment. In total, 787/5676 contacts received at-home intravenous therapy, which corresponded to 3.6 hospital beds saved per day. The questionnaires were completed by 307/478 patients and 168/254 caregivers. Most respondents stated they would prefer at-home treatment in future similar situations as it enabled them to maintain their lives. Several respondents also experienced that ATO avoided hospitalisations or reduced hospital stays, which was described as a relief. CONCLUSION ATO was frequently used, indicating the demand for community-based acute healthcare. The patients and caregivers experienced that this solution avoided hospitalisations and allowed them to maintain their lives, and this was described as less burdensome. As a result of these findings, this initiative has been continued with an ongoing focus on searching for possibilities aimed to prevent hospitalisations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stine Emilie Junker Udesen
- The Department of the Elderly and Disabled, Odense Municipality, Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorthe Susanne Nielsen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Migrant Health Clinic, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nina Andersen
- The Department of the Elderly and Disabled, Odense Municipality, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Østervang
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Annmarie Touborg Lassen
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Damery S, Flanagan S, Jones J, Jolly K. The Effect of Providing Staff Training and Enhanced Support to Care Homes on Care Processes, Safety Climate and Avoidable Harms: Evaluation of a Care Home Quality Improvement Programme in England. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147581. [PMID: 34300034 PMCID: PMC8307011 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Older people living in care homes are at risk from avoidable harms, which may require hospital attendance or admission. This paper describes a mixed methods evaluation of a large quality improvement (QI) programme that provides skills training and facilitated support to staff in 29 care homes across two localities in the West Midlands, UK. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is used to assess changes to care home safety climate between baseline and programme end at 24 months. We use routinely collected data to assess pre- and post-programme avoidable harms and hospital attendance/admission rates. Semi-structured interviews with programme managers (n = 18), and staff (n = 49) in four case study homes are also used to assess perspectives on programme implementation. Our results show that safety climate scores increase by 1.4 points. There are significant reductions in falls (p = 0.0006), severe pressure ulcers (p = 0.014), UTIs (p = 0.001) and ‘any’ events (p = 0.0003). Emergency hospital attendances reduced, but admissions increased. Interview participants report improvements to teamwork, working practices, information sharing, knowledge and skills. Upskilling care home staff can improve working practices and attitudes towards resident safety and care quality, which may be associated with significant reductions in avoidable harms rates. Care staff turnover rates are high, which may impact the potential for longer-term sustainability of the changes observed.
Collapse
|
15
|
Grimm F, Hodgson K, Brine R, Deeny SR. Hospital admissions from care homes in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using linked administrative data. Int J Popul Data Sci 2021; 5:1663. [PMID: 34286106 PMCID: PMC8267611 DOI: 10.23889/ijpds.v5i4.1663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Care home residents have complex healthcare needs but may have faced barriers to accessing hospital treatment during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES To examine trends in the number of hospital admissions for care home residents during the first months of the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS Retrospective analysis of a national linked dataset on hospital admissions for residential and nursing home residents in England (257,843 residents, 45% in nursing homes) between 20 January 2020 and 28 June 2020, compared to admissions during the corresponding period in 2019 (252,432 residents, 45% in nursing homes). Elective and emergency admission rates, normalised to the time spent in care homes across all residents, were derived across the first three months of the pandemic between 1 March and 31 May 2020 and primary admission reasons for this period were compared across years. RESULTS Hospital admission rates rapidly declined during early March 2020 and remained substantially lower than in 2019 until the end of June. Between March and May, 2,960 admissions from residential homes (16.2%) and 3,295 admissions from nursing homes (23.7%) were for suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Rates of other emergency admissions decreased by 36% for residential and by 38% for nursing home residents (13,191 fewer admissions in total). Emergency admissions for acute coronary syndromes fell by 43% and 29% (105 fewer admission) and emergency admissions for stroke fell by 17% and 25% (128 fewer admissions) for residential and nursing home residents, respectively. Elective admission rates declined by 64% for residential and by 61% for nursing home residents (3,762 fewer admissions). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study showing that care home residents' hospital use declined during the first wave of COVID-19, potentially resulting in substantial unmet health need that will need to be addressed alongside ongoing pressures from COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Grimm
- The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP, UK
| | - Karen Hodgson
- The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP, UK
| | - Richard Brine
- The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP, UK
| | - Sarah R Deeny
- The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Downs M, Blighe A, Carpenter R, Feast A, Froggatt K, Gordon S, Hunter R, Jones L, Lago N, McCormack B, Marston L, Nurock S, Panca M, Permain H, Powell C, Rait G, Robinson L, Woodward-Carlton B, Wood J, Young J, Sampson E. A complex intervention to reduce avoidable hospital admissions in nursing homes: a research programme including the BHiRCH-NH pilot cluster RCT. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3310/pgfar09020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background
An unplanned hospital admission of a nursing home resident distresses the person, their family and nursing home staff, and is costly to the NHS. Improving health care in care homes, including early detection of residents’ health changes, may reduce hospital admissions. Previously, we identified four conditions associated with avoidable hospital admissions. We noted promising ‘within-home’ complex interventions including care pathways, knowledge and skills enhancement, and implementation support.
Objectives
Develop a complex intervention with implementation support [the Better Health in Residents in Care Homes with Nursing (BHiRCH-NH)] to improve early detection, assessment and treatment for the four conditions. Determine its impact on hospital admissions, test study procedures and acceptability of the intervention and implementation support, and indicate if a definitive trial was warranted.
Design
A Carer Reference Panel advised on the intervention, implementation support and study documentation, and engaged in data analysis and interpretation. In workstream 1, we developed a complex intervention to reduce rates of hospitalisation from nursing homes using mixed methods, including a rapid research review, semistructured interviews and consensus workshops. The complex intervention comprised care pathways, approaches to enhance staff knowledge and skills, implementation support and clarity regarding the role of family carers. In workstream 2, we tested the complex intervention and implementation support via two work packages. In work package 1, we conducted a feasibility study of the intervention, implementation support and study procedures in two nursing homes and refined the complex intervention to comprise the Stop and Watch Early Warning Tool (S&W), condition-specific care pathways and a structured framework for nurses to communicate with primary care. The final implementation support included identifying two Practice Development Champions (PDCs) in each intervention home, and supporting them with a training workshop, practice development support group, monthly coaching calls, handbooks and web-based resources. In work package 2, we undertook a cluster randomised controlled trial to pilot test the complex intervention for acceptability and a preliminary estimate of effect.
Setting
Fourteen nursing homes allocated to intervention and implementation support (n = 7) or treatment as usual (n = 7).
Participants
We recruited sufficient numbers of nursing homes (n = 14), staff (n = 148), family carers (n = 95) and residents (n = 245). Two nursing homes withdrew prior to the intervention starting.
Intervention
This ran from February to July 2018.
Data sources
Individual-level data on nursing home residents, their family carers and staff; system-level data using nursing home records; and process-level data comprising how the intervention was implemented. Data were collected on recruitment rates, consent and the numbers of family carers who wished to be involved in the residents’ care. Completeness of outcome measures and data collection and the return rate of questionnaires were assessed.
Results
The pilot trial showed no effects on hospitalisations or secondary outcomes. No home implemented the intervention tools as expected. Most staff endorsed the importance of early detection, assessment and treatment. Many reported that they ‘were already doing it’, using an early-warning tool; a detailed nursing assessment; or the situation, background, assessment, recommendation communication protocol. Three homes never used the S&W and four never used care pathways. Only 16 S&W forms and eight care pathways were completed. Care records revealed little use of the intervention principles. PDCs from five of six intervention homes attended the training workshop, following which they had variable engagement with implementation support. Progression criteria regarding recruitment and data collection were met: 70% of homes were retained, the proportion of missing data was < 20% and 80% of individual-level data were collected. Necessary rates of data collection, documentation completion and return over the 6-month study period were achieved. However, intervention tools were not fully adopted, suggesting they would not be sustainable outside the trial. Few hospitalisations for the four conditions suggest it an unsuitable primary outcome measure. Key cost components were estimated.
Limitations
The study homes may already have had effective approaches to early detection, assessment and treatment for acute health changes; consistent with government policy emphasising the need for enhanced health care in homes. Alternatively, the implementation support may not have been sufficiently potent.
Conclusion
A definitive trial is feasible, but the intervention is unlikely to be effective. Participant recruitment, retention, data collection and engagement with family carers can guide subsequent studies, including service evaluation and quality improvement methodologies.
Future work
Intervention research should be conducted in homes which need to enhance early detection, assessment and treatment. Interventions to reduce avoidable hospital admissions may be beneficial in residential care homes, as they are not required to employ nurses.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN74109734 and ISRCTN86811077.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 9, No. 2. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murna Downs
- Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Alan Blighe
- Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Robin Carpenter
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Feast
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Froggatt
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Sally Gordon
- National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK
| | - Rachael Hunter
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Liz Jones
- Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Natalia Lago
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Brendan McCormack
- Division of Nursing and Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Louise Marston
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Monica Panca
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Permain
- Research Department, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate, UK
| | - Catherine Powell
- Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Greta Rait
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Robinson
- Institute for Ageing and Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - John Wood
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Young
- Academic Unit of Elderly Care and Rehabilitation, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | - Elizabeth Sampson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust Liaison Psychiatry Team, North Middlesex University Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nelson RE, Lautenbach E, Chang N, Jones M, Willson T, David M, Linkin D, Glick H, Doshi JA, Stevens VW. Attributable Cost of Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Long-term Care Center. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S27-S33. [PMID: 33512522 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can lead to substantial healthcare costs in acute care settings. However, little is known regarding the consequences of these infections on patients in long-term care centers (LTCCs). The purpose of this study was to estimate the attributable cost of MRSA HAIs in LTCCs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to VA LTCCs between 1 January 2009 and 30 September 2015. MRSA HAIs were defined as a positive clinical culture at least 48 hours after LTCC admission so as to exclude community-acquired infections. Positive cultures were further classified by site (sterile or nonsterile). We used multivariable generalized linear models and 2-part models to compare the LTCC and acute care costs between patients with and without an MRSA HAI. RESULTS In our primary analysis, there was no difference in LTCC costs between patients with and without a MRSA HAI. There was, however, a significant increase in the odds of being transferred to an acute care facility (odds ratio, 4.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 3.40-5.67]) and in acute care costs ($9711 [95% CI, $6961-$12 462]). CONCLUSIONS Our findings of high cost and increased risk of transfer from LTCC to acute care are important because they highlight the substantial clinical and economic impact of MRSA infections in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Nelson
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ebbing Lautenbach
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nelson Chang
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Makoto Jones
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Tina Willson
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Michael David
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Darren Linkin
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Henry Glick
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jalpa A Doshi
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vanessa W Stevens
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jordan S, Prout H, Carter N, Dicomidis J, Hayes J, Round J, Carson-Stevens A. Nobody ever questions-Polypharmacy in care homes: A mixed methods evaluation of a multidisciplinary medicines optimisation initiative. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244519. [PMID: 33411824 PMCID: PMC7790299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurse-led monitoring of patients for signs and symptoms associated with documented 'undesirable effects' of medicines has potential to prevent avoidable harm, and optimise prescribing. INTERVENTION The Adverse Drug Reaction Profile for polypharmacy (ADRe-p) identifies and documents putative adverse effects of medicines commonly prescribed in primary care. Nurses address some problems, before passing ADRe-p to pharmacists and prescribers for review, in conjunction with prescriptions. OBJECTIVES We investigated changes in: the number and nature of residents' problems as recorded on ADRe-p; prescription regimens; medicines optimisation: and healthcare costs. We explored aetiologies of problems identified and stakeholders' perspectives. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS In three UK care homes, 19 residents completed the study, December 2018 to May 2019. Two service users, three pharmacists, six nurses gave interviews. METHODS This mixed-method process evaluation integrated data from residents' ADRe-ps and medicines charts, at the study's start and 5-10 weeks later. RESULTS We recruited three of 27 homes approached and 26 of 45 eligible residents; 19 completed ADRe-p at least twice. Clinical gains were identified for 17/19 residents (mean number of symptoms 3 SD 1.67, range 0-7). Examples included management of: pain (six residents), seizures (three), dyspnoea (one), diarrhoea (laxatives reduced, two), falls (two of five able to stand). One or more medicine was de-prescribed or dose reduced for 12/19 residents. ADRe administration and review cost ~£30 in staff time. ADRe-p helped carers and nurses bring residents' problems to the attention of prescribers. IMPLICATIONS ADRe-p relieved unnecessary suffering. It supported carers and nurses by providing a tool to engage with pharmacists and prescribers, and was the only observable strategy for multidisciplinary team working around medicines optimisation. ADRe-p improved care by: a) regular systematic checks and problem documentation; b) information transfer from care home staff to prescribers and pharmacists; c) recording changes. REGISTRATION NLM Identifier NCT03955133; ClinicalTrials.gov.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Jordan
- Faculty of Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley Prout
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Carter
- Faculty of Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - John Dicomidis
- Care Home Governance and National Lead Pharmacy Informatics, Pontypool, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Hayes
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey Round
- Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew Carson-Stevens
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kwa JM, Storer M, Ma R, Yates P. Integration of Inpatient and Residential Care In-Reach Service Model and Hospital Resource Utilization: A Retrospective Audit. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020; 22:670-675. [PMID: 32928658 PMCID: PMC7486062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In parts of Australia, Residential In-Reach (RIR) services have been implemented to treat residential aged care (RAC) residents for acute conditions in their place of residence to avoid preventable hospital presentation. Our service was initiated in 2009 and restructured in 2014. We compared acute healthcare resource utilization (RIR activity and emergency hospital presentations) by RAC residents under 2 RIR models of care. DESIGN Acute RAC RIR service model of care was changed from existing nurse/emergency physician-led service to nurse/geriatrician-led service and incorporate inpatient liaison nurse consultant into the team. SETTING RAC episodes and hospital presentations from a single tertiary referral hospital and its associated RAC RIR service. METHODS Retrospective audit comparing RIR activity, hospital presentations, and associated costs from 2 12-month periods, prior to and postimplementation. Data were expressed as a proportion of the total number of RAC beds in the hospital RIR catchment. RESULTS After implementation of the new model of care, RIR episodes of care increased from 589 to 985 (15.3 vs 24.7 episodes/100 RAC beds, P < .001). Emergency department (ED) presentations fell from 1616 to 1478 (41.9 vs 37.2 presentations/100 RAC beds, P < .001). There were fewer unplanned ED presentations by RIR patients (2.4% vs 0.8%, = 0.03) and fewer 28-day ED re-presentations (16.8% vs 13.7%, P = .01) under the new model of care. ED cost [$AUD 30,830 vs $28,030/100 RAC beds ($USD 21,344 vs $19,407), P < .001] and inpatient admission costs [$145,607 vs $117,531/100 RAC beds ($USD 100,814 vs $81,380), P < .001] were each lower in the second period. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS In the 12 months following implementation of the new model of care, an increase in RIR activity, and a decrease in ED presentations was observed. Further research is necessary to validate these retrospective findings and better evaluate clinical outcomes and consumer satisfaction of the service.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Min Kwa
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Meg Storer
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Ronald Ma
- Department of Finance, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Yates
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gordon AL, Devi R, Williams C, Goodman C, Sartain K, Chadborn NH. Protocol for a realist review of General Practitioners' Role in Advancing Practice in Care Homes (GRAPE study). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036221. [PMID: 32546492 PMCID: PMC7299033 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Older people who live in care homes have a high level of need with complex health conditions. In addition to providing medical care to residents, general practitioners (GPs) play a role as gatekeeper for access to services, as well as leadership within healthcare provision. This review will describe how GPs were involved in initiatives to change arrangements of healthcare services in order to improve quality and experience of care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Following RAMESES quality and publication guidelines standards, we will proceed with realist review to develop theories of how GPs work with care home staff to bring about improvements. We identify when improvement in outcomes does not occur and why this may be the case. The first stage will include interviews with GPs to ask their views on improvement in care homes. These interviews will enable development of initial theories and give direction for the literature searches. In the second stage, we will use iterative literature searches to add depth and context to the early theories; databases will include Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and ASSIA. In stage 3, evidence that is judged as rigorous and relevant will be used to test the initial theories, and through the process, refine the theory statements. In the final stage, we will synthesise findings and provide recommendations for practice and policy-making.During the review, we will invite a context expert group to reflect on our findings. This group will have expertise in current trends in primary care and the care home sector both in UK and internationally. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee: 354-1907. Findings will be shared through stakeholder networks, published in National Institute for Health Research journal and submitted for peer-reviewed journal publication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Gordon
- School of Medicine, Division of Medical Science and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Reena Devi
- School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher Williams
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Kathleen Sartain
- Dementia and Frail Older Persons PPI Group, Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Neil H Chadborn
- School of Medicine, Division of Medical Science and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Maniatopoulos G, Hunter DJ, Erskine J, Hudson B. Lessons learnt from the implementation of new care models in the NHS: a qualitative study of the North East Vanguards programme. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e032107. [PMID: 31685511 PMCID: PMC6858185 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine lessons learnt from the implementation of five Vanguard initiatives in the North East of England. DESIGN Data collection comprised semistructured interviews with key informants at each site. SETTING The study took place across six local authority areas in the North East of England and within six clinical commissioning groups responsible for the delivery of each Vanguard's aims and objectives. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-six interviewees with participants from five Vanguard initiatives in the North East of England, including senior clinicians, project leads and directors, commissioners, and healthcare managers. RESULTS While the context for each Vanguard is separate and distinct, there also exists a set of common issues which have a regional dimension. Participants felt that the national programme helped to raise the profile of local change initiatives and also contributed to the wider understanding of regional service integration issues. At the same time our findings demonstrate that all five sites experienced, and were subject to, unrealistic pressure placed on them to deliver outcomes. Of particular concern among all sites was the sheer scale and pace of change occurring at the same time as the National Health Service was being tasked with making significant, if unrealistic, efficiency savings. CONCLUSIONS It is too early to conclude with any confidence that a successful outcome for the new care models programme will be forthcoming. While early indications show some encouraging signs of promise, the overall context in which the complex and ambitious changes are being implemented remains both fragile and fluid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David J Hunter
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Bob Hudson
- Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ouslander J. Strategies to reduce potentially avoidable hospitalisations among long-term care facility residents. BMJ Qual Saf 2019; 28:515-519. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|