Dollard, Joanne Harvey, Gillian Dent, Elsa Williams, N. Trotta, Laura Beilby, Justin Hoon, Elizabeth Kitson, Alison Seiboth, C. Karnon, Jonathan Older People Who are Frequent Users of Acute Care: A Symptom of Fragmented Care? A Case Series Report on Patients’ Pathways of Care Older frequent users of acute care can experience fragmented care. There is a need to understand the issues in a local context before attempting to address fragmented care. 0.5% (n=61) of the population in a defined local government area were identified as having ≥4 unplanned emergency department (ED) presentations/ admissions to an acute-care hospital over 13 months. A retrospective case-series study was conducted to examine detailed pathways of care for 17 patients within the identified population. The two dominant presentation reasons were clinical symptoms associated with a declining/significant loss of capacity in fundamental self-care activities and chronic cardiac/respiratory conditions. Of patients discharged home, 21% of discharge letters were delayed >7 days and only 19% received a written discharge plan. Half of community dwelling patients received home nursing and/or assistance. Frequent users of acute care can experience untimely hospital communication and may require more coordinated care provided in the community to assist self-care and manage chronic conditions. Frail Elderly;Aged;Ambulatory Care;Delivery of Health Care;Disease Management;Aged Health Care;Clinical Nursing: Secondary (Acute Care);Primary Health Care 2018-11-14
    https://torrens.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Older_People_Who_are_Frequent_Users_of_Acute_Care_A_Symptom_of_Fragmented_Care_A_Case_Series_Report_on_Patients_Pathways_of_Care/7337114
10.25905/5bebb4549f748