Discharge Functional Status and Rehospitalization in the Elderly

Background:

Rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge is observed in approximately 19% of Medicare Fee for Service patients following discharge. Risk factors including medical comorbidity and discharge process quality have been identified as contributing to this outcome, however the possibility that patient level social and functional characteristics has not been equally investigated.

Procedural summary:

Patients will be recruited at the time of discharge. Participation in the study will include three surveys (one at the time of discharge, one within 72-96 hours after discharge and one thirty days after discharge) about functional status. The survey will inquire about function in six domains: physical function, depression, anxiety, cognition, social isolation, instrumental social support. The initial survey will be conducted in person at the hospital bedside by a research team member. The second and third surveys will be conducted by telephone within 72 to 96 day hours of discharge. Survey responses will be collected by direct patient response into tablet computer hardware.

Recruitment:

The research team (PI or RA) will identify candidates for recruitment based on conversation with the hospital case management staff and hospitalist physicians at the time of daily interdisciplinary care rounds. Inclusion criteria are age greater than or equal to 65 and anticipated return to home-based care at discharge or within two weeks of discharge. Exclusion criteria are non-English speaking language status, inability to complete interview based on sensory limitations, Mini-Cog evaluation consistent with dementia, or physician caregiver recommendation that patient not be enrolled.

Risk:

Participation in this study will not involve any physical risk beyond that of every day life. Risk will be minimized as no invasive interventions will be used. The possibility of psychological stress exists as individuals participate in interviews and complete survey items designed to test performance. Subjects may feel embarrassed to report areas of functional limitation.

Risk of emotional harm will be minimized through the supportive presence of the PI and/or RA at the time of data collection and the use of geriatric appropriate strategies for interviewing. The patient will only be approached with hospital physician recommendation.

Data Safety Primary data will be de-identified and carefully maintained in a locked area.

Inclusion criteria

• patients cared for on the inpatient general medical and surgical services at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH)
• age upon admission ≥65 years
• anticipated disposition to home at discharge or within two weeks of discharge

Exclusion criteria

• previous hospitalization within 30 days
• in-hospital death
• transfer to another inpatient facility at the time of discharge
• non-English language fluency
• hospital medicine attending attestation that patient is not competent or clinically stable to participate
• Mini-cog evaluation consistent with dementia