A reengineered hospital discharge program to decrease rehospitalization: a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emergency department visits and rehospitalization are common after hospital discharge.

Objective

To test the effects of an intervention designed to minimize hospital utilization after discharge.

Design

Randomized trial using block randomization of 6 and 8. Randomly arranged index cards were placed in opaque envelopes labeled consecutively with study numbers, and participants were assigned a study group by revealing the index card.

Setting

General medical service at an urban, academic, safety-net hospital.

Patients

749 English-speaking hospitalized adults (mean age, 49.9 years).

Intervention

A nurse discharge advocate worked with patients during their hospital stay to arrange follow-up appointments, confirm medication reconciliation, and

SUBMITTER: Jack BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2738592 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature