A decentralized admission screening protocol for a geriatric rehabilitation program: does it make a difference?

The purpose of this retrospective evaluation study was to compare outcomes related to two distinct processes for screening people referred for admission to a geriatric rehabilitation program at a chronic care hospital in southern Ontario. Data were collected through chart review and focus group methods. The results were unexpected in that the projected outcomes associated with the newer referral screening process did not materialize. For both referral screening processes, findings are discussed in terms of the percentage of achieved patient rehabilitation goals. The average lengths of patient stay associated with both screening processes were also compared. No statistically significant differences between the two processes were found in terms of either the percentage of goals achieved or the length of patient stay. Focus group sessions were held to elicit team members' perceptions of the effectiveness of each of the referral processes. Participants in the focus groups were supportive of the newer referral screening and admission process although the evidence gathered from the chart review did not demonstrate improvements in patients' length of stay or an increase in the percentage of rehabilitation goals achieved.