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.

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

Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad clínica de un modelo de atención intermedia basado en un sistema de atención centrado en procesos clínicos integrados (integrated care pathways) respecto al modelo de atención sociosanitario tradicional en Cataluña (atención habitual). Pacientes y métodos. Estudio cuasiexperimental pre-pos no aleatorizado con grupo control no sincrónico y período de lavado. El grupo control lo conforman pacientes incluidos en programas de atención habitual sociosanitaria. De forma posterior durante el período de lavado se desarrolla el modelo de atención intermedia con sus procesos de atención integrada y se llevará a cabo la segunda parte del estudio con el grupo intervención basado en un sistema integrado ya evaluado (Intermediate Care británico). Dicha intervención se caracterizará por el desarrollo e implementación de rutas asistenciales integradas y la creación de equipos interdisciplinares especializados en cada uno de los procesos. Los dos grupos se compararán para variables demográficas, clínicas al ingreso y al alta, síndromes geriátricos y de consumo de recursos. Discusión. Este estudio cuasiexperimental, de carácter eminentemente pragmático, pretende valorar el impacto clínico de la transformación de un modelo de atención sociosanitario tradicional a un modelo de atención intermedia basado en atención por procesos integrados en el marco de una organización sanitaria integral. Creemos que los resultados del presente estudio podrán ser útiles para futuros estudios aleatorizados y controlados (AU)

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 (AU)

[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.