Clinical effectiveness of an intermediate care inpatient model based on integrated care pathways.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical impact of two intermediate care pathways. METHODS: A prospective, uncontrolled before-after study was carried out to compare two non-synchronic intermediate care frameworks in Spain. Participants in the control group were transferred to the intermediate care center by hospital request, whereas those in the intervention group (Badalona Integrated Care Model [BICM]) were transferred based on a territory approach considering the assessment of an intermediate care team. The clinical characteristics of study participants were assessed at admission and discharge. RESULTS: Compared with participants in the control group, those in the BICM group were significantly older (mean age 81.6 years [SD 10.3] vs 78.3 years [10.1], P < 0.001) and had a lower Barthel score (mean score 32.8 [SD 25.9] vs 39.9 [28.4]; P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of participants with total dependence (38.4% vs 32.2%; P = 0.001). The length of stay in intermediate care was similar in both groups; however, stay in acute care was significantly shorter in the BICM group than in the control group (mean 21 days [SD 19.5] vs 25 days [SD 23]; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the Barthel Index at discharge, although participants in the BICM group had significantly higher functional gain. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a territory-based integrated care pathway in an intermediate care center shifted the profile of admitted patients toward higher complexity. Despite this, patients managed under the integrated care model reduced their dependency and the referral rate to an acute unit during their stay in the intermediate care center. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 366-372.

Does the presence of pressure ulcers entail "high risk of negative outcomes" in geriatric rehabilitation? Results from a retrospective cohort study.

AIM: A retrospective cohort study was performed in order to evaluate the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PrUs) in older patients admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit of a postacute care hospital and to investigate the impact of the presence of PrUs on clinical outcomes of the rehabilitation process. METHODS: We studied 668 post-acute patients consecutively attended, from January 2010 to December 2011. The effect of having PrUs at admission was evaluated based on its impact on outcomes: final destination, functional status, mortality and length of stay in the rehabilitation unit. RESULTS: PrUs prevalence at admission was 16%. Patients with PrUs were older, more disabled and had more complex conditions, including malnutrition and cognitive impairment. In the bivariate analysis, we found patients with PrUs at admission had worst final outcome (%): discharge home (69.2 vs.82.5), discharge long term care setting (14 vs.6.4), discharge acute care (8.4 vs.6.2) and death (8.4 vs.4.8); p < 0.001, and worst Barthel Index score at discharge 57 (SD 34.1) vs.83 (SD 33.6); p < 0.001, with longer length of stay in the unit 61 (SD 42.3) vs.53 (SD 37.1); p 0.004. In the multivariate analysis, PrUs presence was found as one of the variables with significant association to no return to home. Finally, a negative association between PrUs at admission and functional gain at discharge of the postacute unit was identified. CONCLUSIONS: PrUs were prevalent and had negative impact on clinical outcomes of our geriatric unit, as discharge destination, functional gain and Length of Stay, in vulnerable patients.

[New integrated care model for older people admitted to Intermediate Care Units in Catalonia: A quasi-experimental study protocol]. / Nuevo modelo de atención integrada orientada a ancianos ingresados en Unidades de Atención Intermedia en Cataluña: protocolo de un estudio cuasiexperimental.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an intermediate care model based on a system of care focused on integrated care pathways compared to the traditional model of geriatric care (usual care) in Catalonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The design is a quasi-experimental pre-post non-randomised study with non-synchronous control group. The intervention consists of the development and implementation of integrated care pathways and the creation of specialised interdisciplinary teams in each of the processes. The two groups will be compared for demographic, clinical variables on admission and discharge, geriatric syndromes, and use of resources. DISCUSSION: This quasi-experimental study, aims to assess the clinical impact of the transformation of a traditional model of geriatric care to an intermediate care model in an integrated healthcare organisation. It is believed that the results of this study may be useful for future randomised controlled studies.