Intervención domiciliaria por terapia ocupacional postalta para prevenir la rehospitalización de personas mayores: protocolo de estudio de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Domiciliary intervention by occupational therapy after hospital discharge in order to prevent re-admission in the elderly: Study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Antecedentes y objetivo: La rehospitalización de las personas mayores es un evento frecuente asociado a complicaciones. El objetivo es describir el protocolo de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado que busca comparar, en personas mayores, el impacto de una intervención domiciliaria por terapia ocupacional en la probabilidad de rehospitalización a 6 meses versus el manejo habitual. Material y método: Ensayo controlado aleatorizado en unidades de medicina del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile y Hospital de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile, en 217 pacientes de edad igual o mayor a 60 años ingresados por enfermedad aguda o crónica descompensada, que cuenten con una persona de referencia al alta hospitalaria. El grupo control considerará el manejo habitual versus el grupo experimental, que contempla visitas domiciliarias de terapia ocupacional en 2 ocasiones durante 6 meses, en las que se aplicará un plan de intervención integral. Se recolectará información sociodemográfica, antecedentes de la hospitalización, funcionales (Índice de Barthel y Escala de Lawton y Brody), estado cognitivo (Cuestionario de Pfeiffer, Cuestionario de actividad funcional, Confusion Assessment Method) y comorbilidad (Escala de puntuación acumulativa de enfermedad en geriatría). Ambos grupos recibirán seguimiento telefónico a las 4, 12 y 24 semanas posteriores al alta hospitalaria. Resultados: Se espera que la intervención reduzca la tasa de rehospitalización en por lo menos un 40% a 6 meses en comparación con el manejo habitual. Conclusión: Los resultados servirán para conocer los componentes que reducen el riesgo de rehospitalización y mejoran la continuidad de cuidados al alta en la persona mayor

Background and objective: Re-admission to hospital by the elderly is a frequent event that is associated with complications. The aim of this article is to describe a randomised clinical trial protocol which has the aim of describing and comparing the impact of a home-based intervention by Occupational Therapists (OT) in the likelihood of re-admission at 6 months. Material and method: Randomised controlled trial conducted in medical units of the "Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile" and "Hospital de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile", with 217 patients aged 60 years or older admitted for acute or decompensated chronic disease, provided that they have a person of reference after hospital discharge. The control group consists of the usual care regarding post-discharge patients. This will be compared to the experimental group that includes a home visit from OT on two occasions over a six-month period, who will apply a multicomponent intervention. Informed consent will be requested with the sociodemographic and hospital admission information, functional (Barthel index; Lawton & Brody Scale) and cognitive performance (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire; Functional Activities Questionnaire; Confusion Assessment Method), and comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics). Both groups will receive a telephone follow-up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after hospital discharge. Results: The intervention will reduce the rate of hospital re-admissions by at least 40% at 6 months compared with usual care. Conclusion: It will be useful to know the components that reduce the risk of hospital re-admissions and improve hospital discharge healthcare for elderly

[Domiciliary intervention by occupational therapy after hospital discharge in order to prevent re-admission in the elderly: Study protocol for a randomised clinical trial]. / Intervención domiciliaria por terapia ocupacional postalta para prevenir la rehospitalización de personas mayores: protocolo de estudio de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Re-admission to hospital by the elderly is a frequent event that is associated with complications. The aim of this article is to describe a randomised clinical trial protocol which has the aim of describing and comparing the impact of a home-based intervention by Occupational Therapists (OT) in the likelihood of re-admission at 6 months. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomised controlled trial conducted in medical units of the "Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile" and "Hospital de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile", with 217 patients aged 60 years or older admitted for acute or decompensated chronic disease, provided that they have a person of reference after hospital discharge. The control group consists of the usual care regarding post-discharge patients. This will be compared to the experimental group that includes a home visit from OT on two occasions over a six-month period, who will apply a multicomponent intervention. Informed consent will be requested with the sociodemographic and hospital admission information, functional (Barthel index; Lawton & Brody Scale) and cognitive performance (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire; Functional Activities Questionnaire; Confusion Assessment Method), and comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics). Both groups will receive a telephone follow-up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after hospital discharge. RESULTS: The intervention will reduce the rate of hospital re-admissions by at least 40% at 6 months compared with usual care. CONCLUSION: It will be useful to know the components that reduce the risk of hospital re-admissions and improve hospital discharge healthcare for elderly.