The impact of intrainstitutional relocation on morbidity in an acute care setting

This study investigated the effects on morbidity of intrainstitutional room changes among stabilized male patients in an acute care setting. Controlling for potential confounders, patients who underwent room changes did not differ post-transfer from control patients in vital sign parameters. Younger movers, however, were found to be taking fewer medications post-transfer and were more likely to be independently ambulatory at discharge than younger controls, while older movers were found to be taking more medications and were less likely to be independently ambulatory at discharge in comparison to older controls. A parallel trend appeared with regard to physician evaluation of patient improvement. These findings suggest that age moderates the impact of intramural relocation on patients' health status; while younger patients experience a room change as beneficial, older patients may find it deleterious. Suggestions are offered for future research.