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Patient Outcomes after Discharge from a Geriatric Day Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2010

Richard G. Crilly*
Affiliation:
Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Western Ontario
Sonya Lylwynec
Affiliation:
Geriatric Day Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London
Marita Kloseck
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario
Jan M. Smith
Affiliation:
Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Western Ontario
Tyler Olsen
Affiliation:
Geriatric Day Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London
Bill Gold
Affiliation:
Geriatric Day Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London
Shelley Masse
Affiliation:
Geriatric Day Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London
*
Requests for offprints should be sent to: / Les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à : Richard G. Crilly, M.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine, St. Joseph's Health Care London – Parkwood Site, 801 Commissioners Road East, London, ON N6C 5J1. (rcrilly@uwo.ca)

Abstract

Evidence suggests that frailer older patients benefit from a continuum of care rather than the admit/discharge model of our health system. This study examined patient outcomes after discharge from a geriatric day hospital (GDH) to determine what proportion continues to do well, what proportion declines, how the two groups differ, and if factors predictive of deterioration can be identified. Using telephone survey and Goal Attainment Scaling methodologies, the goals of 151 patients discharged from a GDH between 6 and 18 months previously were examined to determine whether GDH achievements were maintained or lost. All but 5 patients improved between GDH admission and discharge; after discharge, 39 per cent deteriorated. The need for more support in the community was predictive of deterioration, probably reflecting patient frailty. Number of medical diagnoses or medications were not predictive. Frailer older patients tend not to maintain goals achieved in a GDH after discharge and may benefit from ongoing maintenance.

Résumé

Les données révèlent que les personnes âgées fragiles profitent de tout un spectre de soins plutôt que du modèle admission/sortie d/hôpital de notre système de santé. Cette étude se concentre sur l/évolution de l/état de santé des patients après leur sortie d/un hôpital gériatrique de jour (HGJ) afin de déterminer quelle proportion de ces gens continue de bien aller et quelle proportion connaît un déclin, quelles sont les différences entre ces deux groupes et si l/on peut déceler des facteurs qui permettraient de prédire la détérioration de l/état de santé. Au moyen d/un sondage téléphonique et de méthodes d/évaluation de l/atteinte des objectifs, les objectifs de 151 patients ayant obtenu leur sortie d/un HGJ il y a plus de six mois et moins de 18 mois ont été étudiés afin de déterminer si les objectifs atteints à l/HGJ se sont maintenus ou non. Tous les patients sauf cinq ont vu une amélioration de leur état entre leur admission et leur sortie de l/HGJ; après leur sortie, 39 p. 100 des patients ont vu leur état se détériorer. Le besoin d/un soutien accru au sein de la communauté constituait un élément permettant de prédire la détérioration, ce qui témoignait probablement de la fragilité du patient. Bon nombre de diagnostics médicaux et de traitements ne constituaient pas des éléments de prédiction. Les personnes âgées fragiles tendent à ne pas conserver les niveaux atteints dans un HGJ après leur sortie et elles pourraient tirer profit de services continus.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2005

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