Abstract
Introduction
Australians are living longer, with more chronic medical conditions (CMC), impacting health related costs. For people over 65 years, CMC can result in ongoing hospital admissions, loss of independence, decreased community participation, and decreased quality of life. Acute based occupational therapy services such as falls prevention, environmental modification and maintenance of function are risk reduction strategies that support safe discharge home and may lower hospital readmissions. Empirical evidence is required to demonstrate the impact of occupational therapy services on readmissions.
Objectives
To identify the factors that predict fewer hospital readmissions, and to determine the relative contribution of occupational therapy services to reduced readmissions.
Methods
Cross-sectional data mining of Monash Health’s Business Intelligence portal, randomly identified medical records of 100 patients aged 65 years and over, with CMC admitted between June - December 2015, meeting the inclusion criteria for four categories. The four sample categories consisted of: those who received occupational therapy services and were not readmitted within twelve months (n = 25); those who received occupational therapy and were readmitted within twelve months (n=25); those who did not receive occupational therapy and were not readmitted (n=25); and those who did not receive occupational therapy and were readmitted (n=25).
Results
A comparison of the profiles of the four samples will be presented, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables include: reason for admission; past medical history (including CMC); age; gender; length of stay; need for and use of interpreter services; living arrangements; community supports; minutes of and type of occupational therapy services; and minutes of other allied health services. Factors that contributed to successful and safe return home, and low re-admission rates will be identified.
Conclusion
The results will contribute to the evidence regarding the value of hospital-based occupational therapy services for older people with CMC.
Australians are living longer, with more chronic medical conditions (CMC), impacting health related costs. For people over 65 years, CMC can result in ongoing hospital admissions, loss of independence, decreased community participation, and decreased quality of life. Acute based occupational therapy services such as falls prevention, environmental modification and maintenance of function are risk reduction strategies that support safe discharge home and may lower hospital readmissions. Empirical evidence is required to demonstrate the impact of occupational therapy services on readmissions.
Objectives
To identify the factors that predict fewer hospital readmissions, and to determine the relative contribution of occupational therapy services to reduced readmissions.
Methods
Cross-sectional data mining of Monash Health’s Business Intelligence portal, randomly identified medical records of 100 patients aged 65 years and over, with CMC admitted between June - December 2015, meeting the inclusion criteria for four categories. The four sample categories consisted of: those who received occupational therapy services and were not readmitted within twelve months (n = 25); those who received occupational therapy and were readmitted within twelve months (n=25); those who did not receive occupational therapy and were not readmitted (n=25); and those who did not receive occupational therapy and were readmitted (n=25).
Results
A comparison of the profiles of the four samples will be presented, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables include: reason for admission; past medical history (including CMC); age; gender; length of stay; need for and use of interpreter services; living arrangements; community supports; minutes of and type of occupational therapy services; and minutes of other allied health services. Factors that contributed to successful and safe return home, and low re-admission rates will be identified.
Conclusion
The results will contribute to the evidence regarding the value of hospital-based occupational therapy services for older people with CMC.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 90 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australian Occupational Therapy Journal |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2019 |