A new model of integrated home care for the elderly: impact on hospital use

TitleA new model of integrated home care for the elderly: impact on hospital use
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsLandi F., Onder G., Russo A., Tabaccanti S., Rollo R., Federici S., Tua E., Cesari M., Bernabei R.
JournalJ Clin Epidemiol
Volume54
Issue9
Pagination968-70
Date PublishedSep
ISBN Number0895-4356 (Print)<br/>0895-4356 (Linking)
Accession Number11520658
Keywords*Delivery of Health Care, Integrated, *Geriatric Assessment, *Health Services for the Aged, *Home Care Services, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Analysis of Variance, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Female, Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data, Hospitalization/economics/*statistics & numerical data, Humans, Italy/epidemiology, Male
Abstract

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of a home care program based on comprehensive geriatric assessment-Minimum Data Set for Home Care-and case management on hospital use/cost of frail elderly individuals. We determined all hospital admissions and days spent in hospital during the first year since the implementation of the home care program, and compared them to the rate of hospitalization that the same patients had experienced in the year preceding the implementation of such program. Following the implementation of this program, there was a significant reduction of the number of hospitalizations (pre 44% vs. post 26%, P < 0.001), associated with a reduction of hospital days, both at the individual patient level and for each admission. In conclusion, an integrated home care program based on the implementation of a comprehensive geriatric assessment instrument guided by a case manager has a significant impact on hospitalization and is cost-effective.

DOI10.1016/S0895-4356(01)00366-3
Link

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895435601003663