Interdisciplinary videoconference model for identifying potential adverse transition of care events following hospital discharge to postacute care

Discharge from hospitals to postacute care settings is a vulnerable time for many older adults, when they may be at increased risk for errors occurring in their care. We developed the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Care Transitions (ECHO-CT) programme in an effort to mitigate these risks through a mulitdisciplinary, educational, case-based teleconference between hospital and skilled nursing facility providers. The programme was implemented in both academic and community hospitals. Through weekly sessions, patients discharged from the hospital were discussed, clinical concerns addressed, errors in care identified and plans were made for remediation. A total of 1432 discussions occurred for 1326 patients. The aim of this study was to identify errors occurring in the postdischarge period and factors that predict an increased risk of experiencing an error. In 435 discussions, an issue was identified that required further discussion (known as a transition of care event), and the majority of these were related to medications. In 14.7% of all discussions, a medical error, defined as 'any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medical care or patient harm', was identified. We found that errors were more likely to occur for patients discharged from surgical services or the emergency department (as compared with medical services) and were less likely to occur for patients who were discharged in the morning. This study shows that a number of errors may be detected in the postdischarge period, and the ECHO-CT programme provides a mechanism for identifying and mitigating these events. Furthermore, it suggests that discharging service and time of day may be associated with risk of error in the discharge period, thereby suggesting potential areas of focus for future interventions.

Emergency department interventions that could be conducted in subacute care settings for patients with nonemergent conditions transported by paramedics: a modified Delphi study

BACKGROUND

As the number of patients with nonemergent conditions who are transported by paramedics continues to increase in Ontario, redirecting specific patients to subacute settings may be more beneficial and suitable for both patients and emergency departments. We aimed to evaluate whether emergency department interventions conducted on patients with nonemergent conditions who are transported by paramedics could be conducted in subacute health centres.

METHODS

We conducted a RAND/UCLA modified Delphi study in Ontario between Oct. 13 and Dec. 19, 2020. We used purposive sampling to recruit practising emergency and primary care physicians for an expert panel. We abstracted interventions given to adult patients with nonemergent conditions (18 yr of age or older) who were transported by paramedics to an emergency department from the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) database (Jan. 1, 2014, to Mar. 31, 2018). Participants in the expert panel rated the suitability of the 150 most frequently recorded emergency department interventions from the NACRS database, for completion in subacute health care centres. We set consensus at 70% agreement.

RESULTS

We invited 25 physician experts, 21 of whom consented to participate; 20 physicians completed round 1, and 18 physicians completed both rounds. After 2 rounds, consensus was reached on 146 (97.3%) interventions; 103 interventions (68.7%) were suitable for subacute centres, 43 (28.7%) for only the emergency department and 4 (2.6%) did not receive consensus. For subacute centres, all 103 interventions were rated for urgent care centres; walk-in medical centres were applicable for 46 (30.6%) interventions and clinics led by nurse practitioners for 47 (31.3%) interventions.

INTERPRETATION

Most interventions provided to patients with nonemergent conditions transported by paramedics to emergency departments were identified as suitable for urgent care clinics, with one-third being suitable for either walk-in medical centres or clinics led by nurse practitioners. This study has potential to inform a patient classification model for paramedic-initiated redirection of patients from emergency departments, although further contextualization is required for this to be implemented in clinical practice.

STUDY REGISTRATION

ID ISRCTN22901977.

Challenges and Lessons Learned for Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation of Persons With COVID-19: Clinical Presentation, Assessment, Needs, and Services Utilization

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to present: (1) physiatric care delivery amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, (2) challenges, (3) data from the first cohort of post-COVID-19 inpatient rehabilitation facility patients, and (4) lessons learned by a research consortium of New York and New Jersey rehabilitation institutions.

DESIGN

For this clinical descriptive retrospective study, data were extracted from post-COVID-19 patient records treated at a research consortium of New York and New Jersey rehabilitation inpatient rehabilitation facilities (May 1-June 30, 2020) to characterize admission criteria, physical space, precautions, bed numbers, staffing, employee wellness, leadership, and family communication. For comparison, data from the Uniform Data System and eRehabData databases were analyzed. The research consortium of New York and New Jersey rehabilitation members discussed experiences and lessons learned.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 patients (N = 320) were treated during the study period. Most patients were male, average age of 61.9 yrs, and 40.9% were White. The average acute care length of stay before inpatient rehabilitation facility admission was 24.5 days; mean length of stay at inpatient rehabilitation facilities was 15.2 days. The rehabilitation research consortium of New York and New Jersey rehabilitation institutions reported a greater proportion of COVID-19 patients discharged to home compared with prepandemic data. Some institutions reported higher changes in functional scores during rehabilitation admission, compared with prepandemic data.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic acutely affected patient care and overall institutional operations. The research consortium of New York and New Jersey rehabilitation institutions responded dynamically to bed expansions/contractions, staff deployment, and innovations that facilitated safe and effective patient care.

Models of Care for Postacute COVID-19 Clinics: Experiences and a Practical Framework for Outpatient Physiatry Settings

ABSTRACT

After surviving infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, individuals may have persistent symptoms and prolonged impairments that may last for weeks to months. The frequency and heterogeneity of persistent post-COVID conditions have created challenges in care. Specialty clinics are being established in response to an increasing need to care for patients with postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 or long COVID syndrome. Although many post-COVID conditions can be bettered through a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, various clinical settings may benefit from differing models of coordinated care. We present five models of care in varying degrees of development and compare processes and adaptations to address the unique needs of each center and their unique patient populations. Forging a path to recovery will necessitate a multidisciplinary team with physiatry involvement to meet the distinctive needs of patients with postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, it is imperative that there be equitable access to this care and commitment from healthcare institutions to provide resources for these programs.

A comparative approach to quantifying provision of acute therapy services

This study aims to compare delivery of acute rehabilitation therapy using metrics reflecting distinct aspects of rehabilitation therapy services. Seven general medical-surgical hospitals in Illinois and Indiana prospectively collected rehabilitation therapy data. De-identified data on all patients who received any type of acute rehabilitation therapy (n = 35,449) were extracted and reported as aggregate of minutes of therapy services per discipline. Metrics included therapy types, total minutes, and minutes per day (intensity), as charted by therapists. Extended hospital stay was defined as a length of stay (LOS) longer than Medicare's geometric mean LOS. Discharge destination was coded as postacute care or home discharge. Substantial variability was observed in types, number of minutes, and intensity of therapy services by condition and hospital. The odds of an extended hospital stay increased with increased number of minutes, increased number of therapy types, and decreased with increased rehabilitation intensity. This comparative approach to assessing provision of acute therapy services reflect differential effects of service provision on LOS and discharge destination. Investigators, policymakers, and hospital administrators should examine multiple metrics of rehabilitation therapy provision when evaluating the impact of health care processes on patient outcomes.

How Do Care Transitions Work?: Unraveling the Working Mechanisms of Care Transition Interventions

BACKGROUND

Failure of safe care transitions after hospital discharge results in unnecessary worsening of symptoms, extended period of illness or readmission to the hospital.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to add to the understanding of the working of care transition interventions between hospital and home through unraveling the contextual elements and mechanisms that may have played a role in the success of these interventions, and by developing a conceptual model of how these components relate to each other.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This was a qualitative study using in-person, semi-structured interviews, based on realist evaluation methods.

SUBJECTS

A total of 26 researchers, designers, administrators, and/or practitioners of both current "leading" care transitions interventions and of less successful care transition intervention studies or practices.

MEASURES

The contextual elements and working mechanisms of the different care transition intervention studies or practices.

RESULTS

Three main contextual factors (internal environment, external environment, and patient population) and 7 working mechanisms (simplifiying, verifiying, connecting, translating, coaching, monitoring, and anticipating) were found to be relevant to the outcome of care transition interventions. Context, Intervention, Mechanism, and Outcome (CIMO) configurations revealed that, in response to these contextual factors, care transition interventions triggered one or several of the mechanisms, in turn generating outcomes, including a safer care transition.

CONCLUSION

We developed a conceptual model which explains the working of care transition interventions within different contexts, and believe it can help support future successful implementation of care transition interventions.

Longer length of post-acute care stay causes greater functional improvements in poststroke patients

Post-acute care (PAC) is a type of transitional care for poststroke patients after the acute medical stage; it offers a relatively intensive rehabilitative program. Under Taiwan's National Health Insurance guidelines, the only patients who can transfer to PAC institutions are those who have had an acute stroke in the previous month, are in a relatively stable medical condition, and have the potential for improvement after aggressive rehabilitation. Poststroke patients receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy in PAC facility. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of PAC in poststroke patients since PAC's initiation in Taiwan. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the length of stay in a PAC institution correlates with patients' improvements.This retrospective and single-center study in Taiwan enrolled 193 poststroke patients who had received acute care at Chi-Mei Medical Center, Taiwan, at any period between 2014 and 2017. Data on their length of stay in the PAC institution were collected. Poststroke patients' functional ability-such as activities of daily living (ADL) function and swallowing ability-as well as their corresponding scales were assessed on the first and last day of PAC stay. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS version 21.0 .The average duration of PAC stay was 35.01 ± 16.373 days. Duration of PAC stay was significantly positively correlated with the Barthel index (P < .001), Berg balance test score (P < .001), gait speed (P = .002), and upper sensory function and upper motor function within the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (both P < .001).Poststroke patients with longer stay in a PAC institution had superior ADL function, balance and coordination, walking speed, and upper-limb dexterity and sensory function.

Phase-Adapted Rehabilitation for Acute Coronavirus Disease-19 Patients and Patient With Long-term Sequelae of Coronavirus Disease-19

ABSTRACT

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, many papers have highlighted the need for the rehabilitation of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most papers refer to the need for respiratory rehabilitation in the acute phase; however, the fact that the infection also affects other organ systems has to be considered in rehabilitation interventions. Long-term symptoms in many cases severely limit activity and participation and alter quality of life, leading to rehabilitation needs. This article proposes a phase-adapted model of linking the acute, postacute, and long-term symptoms of COVID-19 with the well-established matrix of acute, postacute, and long-term rehabilitation services. A review of currently available recommendations for phase-adapted rehabilitation strategies, including the relevance of prehabilitation within this context, is provided.

Inter-rater reliability of activity measure for post-acute care '6-Clicks' inpatient mobility short form in the intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

Examine the inter-rater reliability of the activity measure for post-acute care (AM-PAC) inpatient mobility short form (IMSF) when completed by physical therapists (PTs), during routine clinical practice, in a variety of patients with critical illness.

METHODS

A prospective observational evaluation at single, large academic hospital in the United States. Patients (n = 76) in surgical, medical and neurological intensive care units (ICUs) were evaluated as part of routine clinical practice using the AM-PAC IMSF administered by eight PTs with at least 6 months of experience using this tool. One of two reference rater PTs observed the physical therapy session, and simultaneously scored the AM-PAC IMSF. The reference rater and clinical PTs were blinded to each other's scores with a minimum of 10 assessments completed by each clinical PT. Bland-Altman plots were constructed and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were computed using a random intercept (physical therapy session) model.

RESULTS

Eighty one assessments (five patients assessed twice) were scored by both a clinical PT and reference rater PT (total assessments = 162). Bland-Altman plots revealed a mean difference in AM-PAC IMSF scoring of 0.0 (95% limits of agreement: -3.0 to +3.0), with an ICC (95% confidence interval) of 0.957 (0.947-0.964). The ICC (95% confidence interval) for patients in surgical, medical and neurological ICUs was very similar: 0.949 (0.927-0.959), 0.963 (0.946-0.971) and 0.936 (0.886-0.955), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The AM-PAC IMSF demonstrates excellent reliability compared with reference rater PTs when performed by PTs during clinical care across surgical, medical and neurological ICUs.

Neuropsychological Features of Severe Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients at Clinical Stability and Clues for Postacute Rehabilitation

Objectives

To report the cognitive features of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) entering the postacute phase, to understand whether COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome itself could result in long-term cognitive deficits, and to determine whether neuropsychological treatment after the acute stage might represent a specific rehabilitation need.

Design

Case series.

Setting

Rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

We assessed the general cognitive functioning through tablet-supported video calls in 9 of 12 consecutive patients (N=9) admitted to the hospital at least 30 days earlier for acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. Three patients were excluded based on the exclusion criteria. None of the patients presented cognitive symptoms before hospitalization.

Main Outcome Measure

General cognitive functioning, measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test.

Results

A general cognitive decay was observed in 3 patients (33.3%) who had a pathologic score on the MMSE, with a specific decline in attention, memory, language, and praxis abilities. The cognitive malfunctioning appears to be linearly associated with the length of stay (in d) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The longer the amount of time spent in the ICU, the lower the MMSE score, indicating a lower global cognitive functioning.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that some patients with COVID-19 might also benefit from neuropsychological rehabilitation, given their possible global cognitive decay. The link between neuropsychological functioning and the length of stay in the ICU suggests that neurocognitive rehabilitative treatments should be directed explicitly toward patients who treated in the ICU, rather than toward every patient who experienced acute respiratory distress syndrome owing to COVID-19. However, given the limitation of a case series study, those hypotheses should be tested with future studies with larger samples and a longer follow-up period.

Combining Items From 3 Federally Mandated Assessments Using Rasch Measurement to Reliably Measure Cognition Across Postacute Care Settings

OBJECTIVE

To combine items from the Functional Independence Measure, Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0, and the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-B to reliably measure cognition across postacute care settings and facilitate future studies of patient cognitive recovery.

DESIGN

Rasch analysis of data from a prospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

Postacute care inclusive of inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=147) receiving rehabilitation services.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Functional Independence Measure, MDS 2.0, and the OASIS-B.

RESULTS

Six cognition items demonstrated good construct validity with no misfitting items, unidimensionality, good precision (person separation reliability, 0.95), and an item hierarchy that reflected a clinically meaningful continuum of cognitive challenge.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first attempt to combine the cognition items from the 3 historically, federally mandated assessments to create a common metric for cognition. These 6 items could be adopted as standardized patient assessment data elements to improve cognitive assessment across postacute care settings.

Role of Rehabilitation Department for Adult Individuals With COVID-19: The Experience of the San Raffaele Hospital of Milan

The rapid evolution of the health emergency linked to the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 requires specifications for the rehabilitative management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The symptomatic evolution of patients with COVID-19 is characterized by 2 phases: an acute phase in which respiratory symptoms prevail and a postacute phase in which patients can show symptoms related to prolonged immobilization, to previous and current respiratory dysfunctions, and to cognitive and emotional disorders. Thus, there is the need for specialized rehabilitative care for these patients. This communication reports the experience of the San Raffaele Hospital of Milan and recommends the setup of specialized clinical pathways for the rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. In this hospital, between February 1 and March 2, 2020, about 50 patients were admitted every day with COVID-19 symptoms. In those days, about 400 acute care beds were created (intensive care/infectious diseases). In the following 30 days, from March 2 to mid-April, despite the presence of 60 daily arrivals to the emergency department, the organization of patient flow between different wards was modified, and several different units were created based on a more accurate integration of patients' needs. According to this new organization, patients were admitted first to acute care COVID-19 units and then to COVID-19 rehabilitation units, post-COVID-19 rehabilitation units, and/or quarantine/observation units. After hospital discharge, telemedicine was used to follow-up with patients at home. Such clinical pathways should each involve dedicated multidisciplinary teams composed of pulmonologists, physiatrists, neurologists, cardiologists, physiotherapists, neuropsychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and nutritionists.

Nutrition intake in the post-ICU hospitalization period

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The care of critically ill patients has evolved over recent years, resulting in significant reductions in mortality in developed countries; sometimes with prolonged issues with recovery. Nutrition research has focused on the early, acute period of critical illness, until more recently, where the post-ICU hospitalization period in critical care survivors has become a focus for nutrition rehabilitation. In this period, nutrition rehabilitation may be a vital component of recovery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Overall, oral nutrition is the most common mode of nutrition provision in the post-ICU period. Compared with oral intake alone, calorie and protein requirements can be better met with the addition of oral supplements and/or enteral nutrition to oral intake. However, calorie and protein intake remains below predicted targets in the post-ICU hospitalization period. Achieving nutrition targets are complex and multifactorial, but can primarily be grouped into three main areas: patient factors; clinician factors; and system factors.

SUMMARY

A nutrition intervention in the post-ICU hospitalization period may provide an opportunity to improve survival and functional recovery. However, there are multiple barriers to the delivery of calculated nutrition requirements in this period, a limited understanding of how this can be improved and how this translates into clinical benefit.

Post-discharge acute care and outcomes following readmission reduction initiatives: national retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether patients discharged after hospital admissions for conditions covered by national readmission programs who received care in emergency departments or observation units but were not readmitted within 30 days had an increased risk of death and to evaluate temporal trends in post-discharge acute care utilization in inpatient units, emergency departments, and observation units for these patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Medicare claims data for 2008-16 in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged 65 or older admitted to hospital with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia-conditions included in the US Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Post-discharge 30 day mortality according to patients' 30 day acute care utilization; acute care utilization in inpatient and observation units and the emergency department during the 30 day and 31-90 day post-discharge period.

RESULTS

3 772 924 hospital admissions for heart failure, 1 570 113 for acute myocardial infarction, and 3 131 162 for pneumonia occurred. The overall post-discharge 30 day mortality was 8.7% for heart failure, 7.3% for acute myocardial infarction, and 8.4% for pneumonia. Risk adjusted mortality increased annually by 0.05% (95% confidence interval 0.02% to 0.08%) for heart failure, decreased by 0.06% (-0.09% to -0.04%) for acute myocardial infarction, and did not significantly change for pneumonia. Specifically, mortality increased for patients with heart failure who did not utilize any post-discharge acute care, increasing at a rate of 0.08% (0.05% to 0.12%) per year, exceeding the overall absolute annual increase in post-discharge mortality in heart failure, without an increase in mortality in observation units or the emergency department. Concurrent with a reduction in 30 day readmission rates, stays for observation and visits to the emergency department increased across all three conditions during and beyond the 30 day post-discharge period. Overall 30 day post-acute care utilization did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The only condition with increasing mortality through the study period was heart failure; the increase preceded the policy and was not present among patients who received emergency department or observation unit care without admission to hospital. During this period, the overall acute care utilization in the 30 days after discharge significantly decreased for heart failure and pneumonia, but not for acute myocardial infarction.

Comparison of Functional Status Improvements Among Patients With Stroke Receiving Postacute Care in Inpatient Rehabilitation vs Skilled Nursing Facilities

IMPORTANCE

Health care reform legislation and Medicare plans for unified payment for postacute care highlight the need for research examining service delivery and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To compare functional outcomes in patients with stroke after postacute care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) vs skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study included patients with stroke who were discharged from acute care hospitals to IRF or SNF from January 1, 2013, to November 30, 2014. Medicare claims were used to link to IRF and SNF assessments. Data analyses were conducted from January 17, 2017, through April 25, 2019.

EXPOSURES

Inpatient rehabilitation received in IRFs vs SNFs.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Changes in mobility and self-care measures during an IRF or SNF stay were compared using multivariate analyses, inverse probability weighting with propensity score, and instrumental variable analyses. Mortality between 30 and 365 days after discharge was included as a control outcome as an indicator for unmeasured confounders.

RESULTS

Among 99 185 patients who experienced a stroke between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2014, 66 082 patients (66.6%) were admitted to IRFs and 33 103 patients (33.4%) were admitted to SNFs. A higher proportion of women were admitted to SNFs (21 466 [64.8%] women) than IRFs (36 462 [55.2%] women) (P < .001). Compared with patients admitted to IRFs, patients admitted to SNFs were older (mean [SD] age, 79.4 [7.6] years vs 83.3 [7.8] years; P < .001) and had longer hospital length of stay (mean [SD], 4.6 [3.0] days vs 5.9 [4.2] days; P < .001) than those admitted to IRFs. In unadjusted analyses, patients with stroke admitted to IRF compared with those admitted to SNF had higher mean scores for mobility on admission (44.2 [95% CI, 44.1-44.3] points vs 40.8 [95% CI, 40.7-40.9] points) and at discharge (55.8 [95% CI, 55.7-55.9] points vs 44.4 [95% CI, 44.3-44.5] points), and for self-care on admission (45.0 [95% CI, 44.9-45.1] points vs 41.8 [95% CI, 41.7-41.9] points) and at discharge (58.6 [95% CI, 58.5-58.7] points vs 45.1 [95% CI, 45.0-45.2] points). Additionally, patients in IRF compared with those in SNF had larger improvements for mobility score (11.6 [95% CI, 11.5-11.7] points vs 3.5 [95% CI, 3.4-3.6] points) and for self-care score (13.6 [95% CI, 13.5-13.7] points vs 3.2 [95% CI, 3.1-3.3] points). Multivariable, propensity score, and instrumental variable analyses showed a similar magnitude of better improvements in patients admitted to IRF vs those admitted to SNF. The differences between SNF and IRF in odds of 30- to 365-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.46-0.49]) were reduced but not eliminated in multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.69-0.74]) and propensity score analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.72-0.77]). These differences were no longer statistically significant in the instrumental variable analyses.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study of a large national sample, inpatient rehabilitation in IRFs for patients with stroke was associated with substantially improved physical mobility and self-care function compared with rehabilitation in SNFs. This finding raises questions about the value of any policy that would reimburse IRFs or SNFs at the same standard rate for stroke.

Effect of Enhanced Medical Rehabilitation on Functional Recovery in Older Adults Receiving Skilled Nursing Care After Acute Rehabilitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Enhanced medical rehabilitation (EMR) is a systematic and standardized approach for physical and occupational therapists to engage patients. Higher patient engagement in therapy might lead to improved functional recovery in rehabilitation settings, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether EMR improves older adults' functional recovery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted from July 29, 2014, to July 13, 2018, in 229 adults aged 65 years or older admitted to 2 US SNFs. Participants were randomized to receive EMR (n = 114) vs standard-of-care rehabilitation (n = 115). Intention-to-treat analysis was used.

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention group received their physical and occupational therapy from therapists trained in EMR. Based on models of motivation and behavior change, EMR is a toolkit of techniques to increase patient engagement and therapy intensity. The control group received standard-of-care rehabilitation from physical and occupational therapists not trained in EMR.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was change in function in activities of daily living and mobility, as assessed with the Barthel Index, which measures 10 basic activities of daily living or mobility items (scale range, 0-100), from SNF admission to discharge; secondary outcomes were gait speed for 10 m, 6-minute walk test, discharge disposition, rehospitalizations, and self-reported functional status at days 30, 60, and 90. To examine the rehabilitation process, therapists' engagement with patients and patient active time during therapy were measured for a sample of the sessions.

RESULTS

Of the 229 participants, 149 (65.1%) were women; 177 (77.3%) were white, and 51 (22.3%) were black; mean (SD) age was 79.3 (8.0) years. Participants assigned to EMR showed greater recovery of function than those assigned to standard of care (mean increase in Barthel Index score, 35 points; 95% CI, 31.6-38.3 vs 28 points; 95% CI, 25.2-31.7 points; P = .007). There was no evidence of a difference in the length of stay (mean [SD], 23.5 [13.1] days). However, there were no group by time differences in secondary outcome measures, including self-reported function after SNF discharge out to 90 days as measured on the Barthel Index (mean [SE] score: EMR, 83.65 [2.20]; standard of care, 84.67 [2.16]; P = .96). The EMR therapists used a median (interquartile range) of 24.4 (21.0-37.3) motivational messages per therapy session vs 2.3 (1.1-2.9) for nontrained therapists (P < .001), and EMR patients were active during a mean (SD) of 52.5 (6.6%) of the therapy session time vs 41.2 (6.8%) for nontrained therapists (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Enhanced medical rehabilitation modestly improved short-term functional recovery for selected older adults rehabilitating in SNFs. However, there was no evidence that the benefits persisted over the longer term. This study demonstrates the value of engaging and motivating older adults in rehabilitation therapy, but more work is needed to extend these benefits to longer-term outcomes after discharge home.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02114879.

Predicting outcomes within an innovative post-acute rehabilitation model for older adults

BACKGROUND

Understanding the provision of health services to community-dwelling older adults is of great importance due to regulatory changes within post-acute care. The aim of this study was to illustrate pathways by which older adults, within an innovative post-acute care delivery model, move to either independence or re-admission back into higher levels of care to maximize the value of rehabilitation delivery.

METHODS

Clinical data specific to an episode of care (n = 30,001) provided to Medicare beneficiaries treated via a rehabilitation house-calls model of care in their homes and senior living communites were separated into training and test sets. Classification trees were fit on the training set's administrative and clinical variables. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the overall sample, patient characteristics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Subjects were 83.3 years on average, 69.4% were female, and 62.2% were seen in their own homes while 37.8% were in senior living. The key variables predictive of progressing to independence were total number of visits, the presence of the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), PSFS score at discharge and change in PSFS. Prediction accuracy of the classification tree on the test set was 82.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults progress to a higher degree of independence, instead of higher levels of care, via several distinct pathways within a rehabilitation house-calls model of care. A mix of service utilization and outcome variables are key predictors of each pathway and may be used to maximize the value of service delivery. Further examination of the predictors of outcome using administrative datasets drawn from different sub-sets of older adults across the post-acute care continuum is warranted.

Post-stroke rehabilitation: Factors predicting discharge to acute versus subacute rehabilitation facilities

The aim of this study was to examine predictors of discharge of hospitalized stroke patients to either an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or subacute skilled nursing facility (SNF).A retrospective cohort study was done in a large multicampus urban academic medical center of individuals hospitalized for stroke between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 and who were discharged to either an IRF (n = 84) or SNF (n = 59). A set of characteristics and scales were collected on each patient and assessed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.Although univariate analyses revealed multiple measures were associated with discharge destination, the most predictive multivariate logistic regression model for discharge to SNF incorporated age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.13), premorbid physical disability (OR 7.52, 95% CI 1.66-34.14), and inability to ambulate before discharge (OR 5.84, 95% CI 2.01-16.92) with an overall c-statistic of 0.85.Increasing age, premorbid physical disability, and inability to ambulate increase the overall likelihood of discharge to a SNF. These findings need to be replicated in larger samples to determine whether they are generalizable.

Caregivers' Perceptions Managing Functional Needs Among Older Adults Receiving Post-Acute Home Health Care

Caregivers play important roles in managing the physical functioning (PF) needs of older adults transitioning home after a hospitalization. Training and support of caregivers in the post-acute home health care (HHC) setting should incorporate caregivers' perspectives. To explore caregivers' experiences managing PF needs in the post-acute HHC setting, semi-structured telephone interviews of 20 caregivers were conducted. Conventional content analysis revealed patient-, caregiving task-, caregiver-, and home environment-related themes consistent with the Theory of Dependent Care. Caregivers highlighted the dynamics and contributors of PF needs for older patients in the post-acute HHC setting and depicted the enormity of caregiving tasks needed to manage older patients' PF needs. Caregivers also described their perceived roles and challenges in managing PF deficits, including a sense of isolation when they were the sole caregiver. Findings from this research can guide nursing efforts to target caregiver training and support during this critical care transition. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2019; 12(4):174-183.].

Improved survival of hospitalized patients with cardiac arrest due to coronary heart disease after implementation of post-cardiac arrest care: A population-based study

Post-cardiac arrest care was implemented in 2010 and has been shown to improve the survival of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the findings varied for different survival conditions.We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of records from 2007 to 2013 in the National Health Insurance Research Database. We evaluated the differences in short-term (2-day and 7-day) and long-term (30-day and survival to discharge) survival after the implementation of post-cardiac arrest care and among age subgroups. We reviewed inpatient datasets in accordance with the International Classification of Disease Clinical Modification, 9th revision codes (ICD-9-CM). Eligible participants were identified as those with simultaneous diagnoses of cardiac arrest (ICD-9-CM codes: 427.41 or 427.5) and CHD (ICD-9-CM codes: 410-414). Multiple logistic regression was applied to establish the relationship between calendar year and survival outcomes.The odds of 2-day survival from 2011 to 2013 were higher than those from 2007 to 2010 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.29). Similarly, the odds of 7-day survival from 2011 to 2013 were higher than those from 2007 to 2010 (aOR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01-1.22). Improvements in the odds of 2-day and 7-day survival were discovered only in patients <65 years old. Our data reinforce that short-term survival improved after implementation of post-cardiac arrest care. However, older age seemed to nullify the influence of post-cardiac arrest care on survival.

Opportunities and Challenges for Improving the Patient Experience in the Acute and Postacute Care Setting Using Patient Portals: The Patient's Perspective

Efforts to improve the patient experience are increasingly focusing on engaging patients and their "care partners" by using patient portals. The Acute Care Patient Portal Task Force was supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to convene a national meeting of an interdisciplinary group of stakeholders, including patient advocates, to consider how the acute and postacute care patient experience can be improved by using patient-facing technologies. We identified key opportunities and challenges for enhancing cognitive support, promoting respect while maintaining boundaries, and facilitating patient and family empowerment through the lens of the patient. Institutions, clinicians, and vendors would benefit tremendously by considering these 3 patient-centered themes when partnering with patients and family advisors to implement and realize the full potential of patient portals to enhance the acute and postacute care experience.

Cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) short forms for outpatients in rehabilitation

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AM-PAC evaluate mobility, daily activity and applied cognition, according to ICF.

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The translation process followed the procedures of specific guidelines.

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The Brazilian version maintains the original meaning of the AM-PAC items.

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Short forms of the AM-PAC/Brazil showed satisfactory reliability indices.

Background

The Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care was developed to evaluate the limitations of activities of adult individuals with different health conditions.

Objectives

To translate and cultural adapt the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care short forms for outpatients into Portuguese–Brazilian, to verify the comprehension of the items and categories of the responses by users of the rehabilitation services and to analyze the reliability indices of the instrument.

Methods

Translation and back-translation were conducted by two independent teams. Cognitive interviews (n = 2) evaluated the comprehension of the translated version among patients. Item reliability and consistency was also investigated.

Results

There was conceptual equivalence between the translated and original versions. For some items, the information was modified in order to attend to the measurement units used in Brazil. Comparative analyses of the translated versions chose the most appropriate term to capture the English content. The few discrepancies identified in the back-translation were solved by consensus. The cognitive interviews detected few comprehension problems, which were solved by means of repetition of the item statement and use of examples to clarify the specificity of the information. The final translated short forms of the instrument showed excellent test-retest reliability and inter-examiner reliability indices, as well as high internal consistency.

Conclusion

The Portuguese version of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care short forms will provide Brazilian clinicians and researchers with an up-to-date instrument for the evaluation of functioning of adults with various clinical conditions who attend outpatient rehabilitation settings.

Changes in Postacute Care in the Medicare Shared Savings Program

Importance

Postacute care is thought to be a major source of wasteful spending. The extent to which accountable care organizations (ACOs) can limit postacute care spending has implications for the importance and design of other payment models that include postacute care.

Objective

To assess changes in postacute care spending and use of postacute care associated with provider participation as ACOs in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and the pathways by which they occurred.

Design, Setting, and Participants

With the use of fee-for-service Medicare claims from a random 20% sample of beneficiaries with 25 544 650 patient-years, 8 395 426 hospital admissions, and 1 595 352 stays in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2014, difference-in-difference comparisons of beneficiaries served by ACOs with beneficiaries served by local non-ACO health care professionals (control group) were performed before vs after entry into the MSSP. Differential changes were estimated separately for cohorts of ACOs entering the MSSP in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Exposures

Patient attribution to an ACO in the MSSP.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Postacute spending, discharge to a facility, length of SNF stays, readmissions, use of highly rated SNFs, and mortality, adjusted for patient characteristics.

Results

For the 2012 cohort of 114 ACOs, participation in the MSSP was associated with an overall reduction in postacute spending (differential change in 2014 for ACOs vs control group, -$106 per beneficiary [95% CI, -$176 to -$35], or -9.0% of the precontract unadjusted mean of $1172; P = .003) that was driven by differential reductions in acute inpatient care, discharges to facilities rather than home (-0.6 percentage points [95% CI, -1.1 to 0.0], or -2.7% of the unadjusted precontract mean of 22.6%; P = .03), and length of SNF stays (-0.60 days per stay [95% CI, -0.99 to -0.22], or -2.2% of the precontract unadjusted mean of 27.07 days; P = .002). Reductions in use of SNFs and length of stay were largely due to within-hospital or within-SNF changes in care specifically for ACO patients. Participation in the MSSP was associated with smaller significant reductions in SNF spending in 2014 for the 2013 ACO cohort (-$27 per beneficiary [95% CI, -$49 to -$6], or -3.3% of the precontract unadjusted mean of $813; P = .01) but not in the 2013 or 2014 cohort's first year of participation (-$13 per beneficiary [95% CI, -$33 to $6]; P = .19; and $4 per beneficiary [95% CI, -$15 to $24]; P = .66). Estimates were similar for ACOs with and without financial ties to hospitals. Participation in the MSSP was not associated with significant changes in 30-day readmissions, use of highly rated SNFs, or mortality.

Conclusions and Relevance

Participation in the MSSP has been associated with significant reductions in postacute spending without ostensible deterioration in quality of care. Spending reductions were more consistent with clinicians working within hospitals and SNFs to influence care for ACO patients than with hospital-wide initiatives by ACOs or use of preferred SNFs.

Post-acute care reform: Implications and opportunities for hospitalists

Nearly all practicing hospitalists have firsthand experience discharging patients to post-acute care (PAC), which is provided by inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, or home healthcare providers. Many may not know that PAC is poised to undergo transformative change, spurred by recent legislation resulting in a range of reforms. These reforms have the potential to fundamentally reshape the relationship between hospitals and PAC providers. They have important implications for hospitalists and will open up opportunities for hospitalists to improve healthcare value. In this article, the authors explore the reasons for PAC reform and the scope of the reforms. Then they describe the implications for hospitalists and hospitalists' opportunities to Choose Wisely and improve healthcare value for the rapidly growing number of vulnerable older adults transitioning to PAC after hospital discharge.

Post-acute pathways among hip fracture patients: a system-level analysis

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures among older adults are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and result in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care use. Guidelines suggest that rehabilitation after surgery is imperative to return patients to pre-morbid function. However, post-acute care (which encompasses rehabilitation) is currently delivered in a multitude of settings, and there is a lack of evidence with regards to which hip fracture patients should use which post-acute settings. The purpose of this study is to describe hip fracture patient characteristics and the most common post-acute pathways within a 1-year episode of care, and to examine how these vary regionally within a health system.

METHODS

This study took place in the province of Ontario, Canada, which has 14 health regions and universal health coverage for all residents. Administrative health databases were used for analyses. Community-dwelling patients aged 66 and over admitted to an acute care hospital for hip fracture between April 2008 and March 2013 were identified. Patients' post-acute destinations within each region were retrieved by linking patients' records within various institutional databases using a unique encoded identifier. Post-acute pathways were then characterized by determining when each patient went to each post-acute destination within one year post-discharge from acute care. Differences in patient characteristics between regions were detected using standardized differences and p-values.

RESULTS

Thirty-six thousand twenty nine hip fracture patients were included. The study cohort was 71.9 % female with a mean age of 82.9 (±7.5SD). There was significant variation between regions with respect to the immediate post-acute discharge destination: four regions discharged a substantially higher proportion of their patients to inpatient rehabilitation compared to all others. However, the majority of patient characteristics between those four regions and all other regions did not significantly differ. There were 49 unique post-acute pathways taken by patients, with the largest proportion of patients admitted to either community-based or short-term institutionalized rehabilitation, regardless of region.

CONCLUSIONS

The observation that similar hip fracture patients are discharged to different post-acute settings calls into question both the appropriateness of care delivered in the post-acute period and health system expenditures. As policy makers continue to develop performance-based funding models to increase accountability of institutions in the provision of quality care to hip fracture patients, ensuring patients receive appropriate rehabilitative care is a priority for health system planning.

Patient education to prevent falls in subacute care

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a patient education programme for preventing falls in the subacute hospital setting.

Design: Randomized controlled trial, subgroup analysis.

Participants: Patients of a metropolitan subacute/aged rehabilitation hospital who were recommended for a patient education intervention for the prevention of falls when enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial of a falls prevention programme.

Methods: Participants in both the control and intervention groups who were recommended for the education programme intervention were followed for the duration of their hospital stay to determine if falls occurred. Only participants in the intervention group who were recommended for this intervention actually received it. In addition, these participants completed an evaluation survey at the completion of their education programme.

Results: Intervention group participants in this subgroup analysis had a significantly lower incidence of falls than their control group counterparts (control: 16.0 falls/1000 participant-days, intervention: 8.2 falls/1000 participant-days, log-rank test: P = 0.007). However the difference in the proportion of fallers was not significant (relative risk 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.68 to 2.14).

Conclusion: Patient education is an important part of a multiple intervention falls prevention approach for the subacute hospital setting.

Myocardial infarction: management of the subacute period

Optimal management of myocardial infarction in the subacute period focuses on improving the discharge planning process, implementing therapies early to prevent recurrent myocardial infarction, and avoiding hospital readmission. Evidence-based guidelines for the care of patients with acute coronary syndrome are not followed up to 25% of the time. Antiplatelet therapy, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, beta blockers, and statins constitute the foundation of medical therapy. Early noninvasive stress testing is an important risk assessment tool, especially in patients who do not undergo revascularization. Discharge preparation should include a review of medications, referral for exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, activity recommendations, education about lifestyle modification and recognition of cardiac symptoms, and a clear follow-up plan. Because nonadherence to medications is common in patients after a myocardial infarction and is associated with increased mortality risk, modifiable factors associated with medication self-discontinuation should be addressed before discharge. Structured discharge processes should be used to enhance communication and facilitate the transition from the hospital to the family physician's care.

Taking the call-bell home: a qualitative evaluation of Tele-HomeCare for children

Tele-HomeCare (THC) delivers health care at home using telephone technologies. A THC service was developed as an adjunct to existing hospital and community care systems. It connected healthcare providers to children and families at home, during the initial transition from hospital to home, using video-conferencing phones and remote vital signs monitors. The goal was to support the transition from hospital to home, for children with subacute healthcare needs. This paper reports the qualitative evaluation of THC and describes the experiences of families supported by THC. A total of 16 mothers, four fathers and two adolescents from 16 families participated in a series of interviews conducted before, during and after THC. The interviews focused on the impact of THC on the children, on the families, and on their overall healthcare experience. Analysis of their accounts identified three subthemes: the stable child, a sense of security, and the healthcare-proficient parent. These subthemes were consistent across all time points and participants. Together they contributed to the overall effect of THC: the timely reunification of the family at home. THC was consistently reported to be an important resource that supported children and families during the transition from hospital to home. The benefits to children and families observed in this study may have also been a consequence of returning to their home environment, since THC allowed these children to be discharged home at a much earlier period. However, our findings are consistent with previous reports of the benefits of THC. Thus, THC is a successful method of healthcare service delivery that enables a safe return home with professional support provided remotely.

Delirium in Postacute and Long-term Care

Delirium is a classic geriatric syndrome that occurs commonly among the frail elders who make up many of the residents in postacute and long-term care facilities. The prevalence of the disorder in these settings may be increasing as a result of the pressure to reduce hospital length of stay. Clinicians often do not recognize when patients in their care are delirious, but simple and practical means exist to allow its diagnosis. Those who practice in long-term care must be knowledgeable about the risk factors for the disorder, as well as how to recognize, diagnose, prevent, and treat it.

Subacute stereotactic aspiration of haematomas within the basal ganglia reduces occurrence of complications in the course of haemorrhagic stroke in non-comatose patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Medical complications occurring after stroke of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic origin are frequent and constitute an important problem. The strongest factor predicting the occurrence of complications is known to be the initial neurological impairment level. The aim of this study was to examine whether subacute stereotactic aspiration of haematomas within the basal ganglia is suitable to reduce the occurrence of complications in the course of haemorrhagic stroke in non-comatose patients.

METHODS

Following rigorous selection criteria, 56 consecutive non-comatose patients were treated by subacute stereotactic evacuation of the haematomas. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores after initiation of treatment, medical complications, mortality and length of in-patient stay before discharge for further rehabilitative treatment were recorded for each patient and were compared with the results obtained in a comparable group of 39 patients treated purely medically in another hospital.

RESULTS

The level of consciousness improved markedly after stereotactic surgery, and GCS scores were significantly higher than those after pure medical treatment (p < 0.0001). In comparison with medical patients, complications were considerably fewer in the surgical group, and thus peri-ictal morbidity and mortality were significantly lower. Length of necessary treatment in the intensive care unit as well as total in-patient stay in the acute care facility were significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving alertness, subacute stereotactic aspiration of deep-seated haematomas decreases occurrence of medical complications in the course of haemorrhagic stroke. Recovery can be accelerated, and patients are earlier suitable for further rehabilitative treatment.

Multiple target aspiration technique for subacute stereotactic aspiration of hematomas within the basal ganglia

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic surgery for deep-seated intracerebral hematomas as a minimally invasive procedure has gained wide acceptance, but debate continues to be controversial concerning the issue of how to aspirate a sufficient proportion of the hematoma with minimized risk for the patient. The objective of this paper is to present a modified stereotactic aspiration technique which complies saliently with both demands.

METHODS

The multiple target aspiration technique was used in a series of 64 consecutive patients with spontaneous hematomas within the basal ganglia. The results obtained with this technique were evaluated with particular regard to degree of aspiration and rate of recurrent hemorrhage and were compared with results achieved with stereotactic techniques utilizing physical fragmentation or chemical lysis of the clots.

RESULTS

Using this technique, it was feasible in one single surgical procedure to aspirate more than 80% of the hematoma volume in 73.4% of the patients. Mean degree of aspiration was 88.8%, and rebleeding occurred only once (1.6%). These results compare favorably with those achieved with application of intricate stereotactic techniques.

CONCLUSION

The multiple target aspiration technique performed in the subacute stage is a rapid and simple method for stereotactic removal of deep-seated hematomas and combines a high success rate with very low risk of recurrent hemorrhage.

Rehabilitation of head and neck injuries in the athlete

This article has given a general overview of a specific and reproducible physical therapy evaluation that can be used to assess progress toward and achievement of goals of treatment. General descriptions of types of presentations that can be seen clinically were also delineated. General treatment goals were discussed and some specific exercises were introduced to help in developing a comprehensive program for the athlete. The main emphasis of the treatment of the athlete requires application of clinical reasoning to the evaluation, treatment, and reassessment process in order to achieve the athlete's goal of full return to sport.

Functional gains and therapy intensity during subacute rehabilitation: a study of 20 facilities

OBJECTIVES

To document patient, program characteristics, and therapy service provision in subacute rehabilitation across 3 types of facilities that provide subacute rehabilitation, to examine the determinants of therapy intensity, and to evaluate the contribution of rehabilitation services to functional gains.

DESIGN

A retrospective study linking administrative billing data and patients' functional assessment records.

SETTING

Twenty facilities part of the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) subacute database

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1976 billing records of patients with stroke, orthopedic, and debility impairments, discharged in 1996 and 1997, were retrieved and linked with the FIM trade mark instrument ratings from UDSMR subacute database.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Total therapy intensity and Rasch-transformed FIM domain gains (ie, gains in self-care, mobility, cognition).

RESULTS

Therapy intensity was mostly determined by impairment and facility type, although variances explained by the predictors were small. Patients in all 3 impairment groups made functional gains; gains were related weakly, although significantly, to therapy intensity and rehabilitation duration after controlling for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The provision of rehabilitation therapies varied across facilities. Skilled nursing facilities with subacute rehabilitation units tended to provide more therapies than subacute units in acute or rehabilitation hospitals.

Mental practice combined with physical practice for upper-limb motor deficit in subacute stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This case report describes a patient with upper-limb hemiparesis (ULH) who received a program combining physical therapy for the affected side with mental practice.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The patient was a 56-year-old man with stable motor deficits, including ULH, on his dominant side resulting from a right parietal infarct that occurred 5 months previously. He received physical therapy for an hour 3 times a week for 6 weeks. In addition, 2 times a week the patient listened to an audiotape instructing him to imagine himself functionally using the affected limb. The patient also listened to the audiotape at home 2 times a week. Pretreatment and posttreatment measures were the upper-extremity scale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Impairment (Fugl-Meyer Scale), the Action Research Arm Test (ARA), and the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM).

OUTCOMES

The patient exhibited reduction in impairment (Fugl-Meyer Scale) and improvement in arm function, as measured by the ARA and STREAM.

DISCUSSION

Mental practice may complement physical therapy to improve motor function after stroke.

Controversial issues in the care and maintenance of vascular access devices in the long-term/subacute care client

The aging population provides a unique challenge for the initiation and maintenance of infusion therapy. This article will highlight three common but controversial issues that have been observed by this author in the long-term/subacute care realm of infusion therapy: 1) the failure to maintain a sterile dressing over the catheter insertion site; 2) the use of heparin to maintain patency of the peripheral infusion device; and 3) the routine replacement of peripheral i.v. catheters. Several factors that contribute to the controversies will be discussed, along with some associated negative and positive outcomes.

Subacute monitoring systems: vital advantages for vital signs

Increased automation of bedside technology maximizes efficiency, minimizes mistakes.

Total joint arthroplasty: a comparison of postacute settings on patient functional outcomes

PURPOSE

This descriptive comparative study was conducted to examine functional outcomes of total joint arthroplasty patients discharged to subacute rehabilitation programs compared with those of patients discharged directly home with home physical therapy follow-up.

SAMPLE

This study used a convenience sample of 96 patients having total joint arthroplasty performed by one physician within one institution. The postacute care setting was self-selected by the patients after information was provided on both options.

METHODS

A patient self-evaluation questionnaire was administered preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months after surgery. A total functional score was obtained by combining the four subscores of the questionnaire/tool: subjective, pain, walking, and activities of daily living. Quantitative data on length of stay and cost were collected for each rehabilitative site.

FINDING

All patients improved significantly over time in all subscores and in total score. There was no statistically significant difference in scores between the home and the subacute group. There was a significant difference in the mean total cost of the joint replacement for the subjects who went to the subacute unit ($24,144) compared to those who went directly home ($16,918). The groups were significantly different demographically, with the subacute group being older (age > 72), and likely to have comorbidities and to live alone.

CONCLUSION

The majority of total joint replacement patients can achieve acceptable functional outcomes in a reasonable length of time at home with physical therapy supervision. Rehabilitation in a subacute facility may be most useful for the elderly patient with comorbidities, particularly those who live alone.

Patient management in the subacute unit

Social and economic forces have driven the health care industry to devise new venues and models of care for the growing number and medical complexity of elderly patients. One such venue is the subacute unit in skilled nursing facilities, which was designed to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and skilled nursing, medical, and rehabilitative care to the elderly patient with potential for return to his or her previous level of function. The challenges in these units are to prevent iatrogenic consequences and prolonged, expensive stays for the patient. Gerontologic nurse practitioners with their advanced clinical skills and knowledge of geriatric primary care are uniquely suited to meet these challenges. This article describes the process of care in the subacute unit and the role of the nurse practitioner to lead the interdisciplinary team in achieving effective and timely outcomes for this fragile population.