Study: More Consistent Follow Up After Elderly Patients Leave Hospital

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  There was a time when physicians would discharge an elderly patient from the hospital with some written directions and an appointment for another visit, but over the years we have learned that important concerns like activities of daily living can be improved by more consistent follow up after discharge.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that having a transitional care nurse visit older patients' homes every few weeks following an acute hospitalization did not improve activities of daily living scores. This so called transitional care bridge program failed to improve ADLs at six months.

The Pittsburgh researchers found that the intervention was not sufficient. Specifically, five home care visits over a six month period does not provide enough specialized care to improve ADLs in elderly patients who have been hospitalized. It was more beneficial to have a more aggressive and comprehensive intervention using physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional assessments—with more frequent visits.