Care pathways in older patients seen in a multidisciplinary same day emergency care (SDEC) unit.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Same day emergency care (SDEC) services are being advocated in the UK for frail, older patients in whom hospitalisation may be associated with harm but there are few data on the 'ambulatory pathway'. We therefore determined the patient pathways pre- and post-first assessment in a SDEC unit focussed on older people.

Methods

In consecutive patients, we prospectively recorded follow-up SDEC service reviews (face-to-face, telephone, Hospital-at-Home domiciliary visits), outpatient referrals (e.g. to specialist clinics, imaging, and community/voluntary/social services), and hospital admissions <30 days. In the first 67 patients, we also recorded healthcare interactions (except GP attendances) in the 180 days pre- and post-first assessment.

Results

Among 533 pati

SUBMITTER: Elias TCN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10811520 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature