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Community care. Home service
B Croxson1, L Llewellyn, K Burdett
1Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The Health Service Journal
|May 27, 1999
Summary
A new nurse-led community service successfully provided emergency care for 155 older adults in six months, preventing hospital admissions. Most patients recovered within 72 hours, demonstrating the scheme's effectiveness in community-based healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Community Health Services
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Hospital admissions for older adults can be reduced through effective community-based interventions.
- Early supported discharge schemes aim to facilitate timely recovery at home.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial impact and operational capacity of a nurse-led community emergency service designed to prevent hospital admissions.
- To identify patient demographics, referral reasons, and outcomes for this novel healthcare model.
Main Methods:
- A nurse-led scheme provided emergency community services for up to 72 hours.
- Data was collected on 155 service users over the first six months of operation.
- Referral reasons, patient age, and discharge status were recorded.
Main Results:
- The service cared for 155 people, with a mean age of 79 years.
- Common referrals included chest infections, pneumonia, and post-injury support.
- Over 75% of patients were discharged from the scheme within the 72-hour timeframe.
- The scheme operated below full capacity, influenced by initial General Practitioner (GP) opposition.
Conclusions:
- Nurse-led community emergency services can effectively manage acute conditions in older adults, facilitating early discharge.
- Addressing GP concerns is crucial for optimizing the capacity and reach of such preventative healthcare initiatives.
- This model shows promise for reducing hospital admission rates and supporting community-based recovery.