Related Experiment Videos
Quick response teams: a new approach in utilization management
Leadership in Health Services = Leadership Dans Les Services De Sante
|August 6, 1992
Summary
A pilot project's quick response team successfully prevented 206 hospital admissions for frail adults. This home care initiative proved a cost-effective alternative to hospitalization for elderly and disabled patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Health Services Research
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Frail, elderly, and disabled adults are at high risk for unnecessary hospital admissions.
- Hospitalization of this population incurs significant healthcare costs.
- Alternative care models are needed to manage healthcare demands efficiently.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a quick response team in preventing hospital admissions.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of a quick response team compared to hospitalization.
- To determine the impact of a quick response team on frail, elderly, and disabled adults.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month pilot project was implemented in an Ontario hospital.
- A "quick response team" provided in-home care for referred patients.
- Data on referrals, admissions, and costs (home care vs. hospital staffing) were collected.
Main Results:
- The quick response team received 237 referrals over 12 months.
- The team successfully prevented 206 admissions, averting hospitalization for 87% of referrals.
- The pilot project demonstrated that the quick response team is a cost-effective care model.
Conclusions:
- Quick response teams are an effective strategy for reducing hospital admissions in frail, elderly, and disabled populations.
- Implementing quick response teams can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare.
- This model offers a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional hospitalization for vulnerable adults.