Utilization of public health care mirrors the older individual's overall health, and increased need for health care may precede more clear symptoms of acute disease. In a previous retrospective study, we found a significant increase in municipal home care service (minutes/week) in a 12-month period prior to acute hospitalization. This PhD-study aims at examining the effect of a software algorithm monitoring older citizens utilization of municipal home care. When home care increases the community nurse is notified and special attention is paid to the individual's current health situation. Pro-active health care initiatives may be launched in collaboration with the primary care physician. The intervention is the algorithm.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2,464
Once a week community nurses receive a list of community dwelling citizens deemed at risk of deterioration that can lead to hospital admission. Nurses assess each citizens situation and initiate intervention if needed (not part of the intervention).
Odense University Hospital
Odense, Denmark
Hospitalizations
Calculated based on data from the Danish National Patient Registry
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Hospital readmissions
Calculated based on data from the Danish National Patient Registry
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Outpatient contacts
Calculated based on data from the Danish National Patient Registry
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Use of temporary care in a skilled nursing facility
Calculated based on data from the three participating municipalities electronic care records
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Use of community home and social care services
Calculated based on data from the three participating municipalities electronic care records
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Contacts to primary care physicians
Calculated based on data from the Danish National Health Insurance Service Register
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
Mortality
Calculated based on data from the Danish Cause of death register.
Time frame: 30 days from identification by the algorithm (6 months for intervention phase)
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