Does scoring patient complexity using COMPRI predict the length of hospital stay? A multicentre case-control study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the factors associated with prolonged hospital stays, focusing on the COMplexity PRediction Instrument (COMPRI) score's accuracy in predicting the length of stay of newly hospitalised patients in general internal medicine wards. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Three general internal medicine wards in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four newly hospitalised patients were recruited between November 2017 and December 2019, with a final analytic sample of 33 patients. We included hospitals in different cities with general medicine outpatient and ward facilities, who agreed to participate. We excluded any patients who were re-hospitalised within 2 weeks of a prior discharge. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' COMPRI scores and their consequent lengths of hospital stay. RESULTS: The 17 patients (52%) allocated to the long-term hospitalisation group (those hospitalised ≥14 days) had a significantly higher average age, COMPRI score and percentage of participants with comorbid chronic illnesses than the short-term hospitalisation group (<14 days). A logistic regression model (model A, comprising only the COMPRI score as the explanatory variable) and a multiple logistic regression model (model B, comprising variables other than the COMPRI score as explanatory variables) were created as prediction models for the long-term hospitalisation group. When age ≥75 years, a COMPRI score ≥6 and a physician with 10 years' experience were set as explanatory variables, model A showed better predictive accuracy compared with model B (fivefold cross-validation, area under curve of 0.87 vs 0.78). The OR of a patient with a COMPRI score of ≥6 joining the long-term hospitalisation group was 4.25 (95% CI=1.43 to 12.63). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can use the COMPRI score when screening for complexity assessment to identify hospitalised patients at high risk of prolonged hospitalisation. Providing such patients with multifaceted and intensive care may shorten hospital stays.

[Progress of introduction of artificial respirator at home--the knowledge I have gained from a 19 year-old patient requiring a home respiratory management care and through the friendship with his family members].

The patient developed right cerebellar hemorrhage at the age of 15 and spent four years at hospital. The patient and the family members had a strong wish to bring the patient back home and the patient was admitted to the hospital to undergo guidance about home medical care. The patient had paralysis of right upper and lower extremities and generalized strong ataxic motion and was under gastric feeding and had underwent tracheotomy to cope with hypoventilation, which required use of an artificial respirator at night hours. Since the patient was still as young as 19, we want to have the patient "go home" as they wanted. Fortunately, the mother who had to play key roles was still young and the parents worked at home. It didn't take long for them to master the techniques though they had various anxieties. It is considered important in the guidance on home medical care to what degrees the caregivers accept the condition of the patient and can imagine the long lasting care at home. We provided assistance while repeatedly interviewing with the patient and family members considering the significance to confirm their willingness and psychological condition. As a result, the patient was discharged from the hospital in two months. Now, two years have passed, and the patient is still cared at home and the possibility of the patient is sought for. The progress is reported here in this article.