TY - JOUR
T1 - Can home visits help reduce hospital readmissions? Randomized controlled trial
AU - Wong, Frances Kam Yuet
AU - Chow, Susan
AU - Chung, Loretta
AU - Chang, Katherine
AU - Chan, Tony
AU - Lee, Wai Man
AU - Lee, Rance
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - Title. Can home visits help reduce hospital readmissions? Randomized controlled trial Aim. This paper is a report of a study to determine whether home visits can reduce hospital readmissions. Background. The phenomenon of hospital readmission raises concerns about the quality of care and appropriate use of resources. Home visits after hospital discharge have been introduced to help reduce hospital readmission rates, but the results have not been conclusive. Method. A randomized controlled trial was carried out from 2003 to 2005. The control group (n = 166) received routine care and the study group (n = 166) received home visits from community nurses within 30 days of hospital discharge. Data were collected at baseline before discharge and 30 days after discharge. Findings. Patients in the study group were statistically significantly more satisfied with their care. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes, including readmission rate, ADL score, self-perceived life satisfaction and self-perceived health. Regression analysis revealed that self-perceived life satisfaction, self-perceived health and disease category other than general symptoms were three statistically significant variables predicting hospital readmissions. Conclusion. Preventive home visits were not effective in reducing hospital readmissions, but satisfaction with care was enhanced. Subjective well-being is a key variable that warrants attention in the planning and evaluation of postdischarge home care.
AB - Title. Can home visits help reduce hospital readmissions? Randomized controlled trial Aim. This paper is a report of a study to determine whether home visits can reduce hospital readmissions. Background. The phenomenon of hospital readmission raises concerns about the quality of care and appropriate use of resources. Home visits after hospital discharge have been introduced to help reduce hospital readmission rates, but the results have not been conclusive. Method. A randomized controlled trial was carried out from 2003 to 2005. The control group (n = 166) received routine care and the study group (n = 166) received home visits from community nurses within 30 days of hospital discharge. Data were collected at baseline before discharge and 30 days after discharge. Findings. Patients in the study group were statistically significantly more satisfied with their care. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes, including readmission rate, ADL score, self-perceived life satisfaction and self-perceived health. Regression analysis revealed that self-perceived life satisfaction, self-perceived health and disease category other than general symptoms were three statistically significant variables predicting hospital readmissions. Conclusion. Preventive home visits were not effective in reducing hospital readmissions, but satisfaction with care was enhanced. Subjective well-being is a key variable that warrants attention in the planning and evaluation of postdischarge home care.
KW - Community care
KW - Discharge planning
KW - Home visits
KW - Hospital readmission
KW - Nursing
KW - Randomized controlled trial
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04631.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04631.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 18489451
AN - SCOPUS:43949142463
SN - 0309-2402
VL - 62
SP - 585
EP - 595
JO - Journal of Advanced Nursing
JF - Journal of Advanced Nursing
IS - 5
ER -