10.25905/5c46a382701ae
Katherine Schultz
Katherine
Schultz
Leanne Carroll
Leanne
Carroll
Kristin Mainey
Kristin
Mainey
Elsa Dent
Elsa
Dent
Identification of service improvement opportunities in an Australian community transition care program
Torrens University Australia
2019
Community Health Services/organization and administration
Organizational Case Studies
Efficiency
Program evaluation
Aged
Transition care programs
Health and Community Services
2019-01-22 05:00:48
Journal contribution
https://torrens.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Identification_of_service_improvement_opportunities_in_an_Australian_community_transition_care_program/7597655
<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Transition care programs (TCPs) are designed to optimise functional recovery and independence in older adults post-hospitalisation. These programs are under high demand, and understanding inefficiencies in patient flow are a key step towards service improvement.</p></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><p>To identify service improvement opportunities in an Australian community TCP service.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>An in-depth retrospective study of 113 community TCP clients.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>TCP occupancy was high (94%) and client functional level improved across the program. Inefficiencies experienced included: admission delays to the program; low completion rates (61%) predominantly due to re-hospitalisation; variable response times by Allied Health services (5–20 days); and discharge delays—the latter attributed to waiting for services such as Home Care Packages through Non-Government Organisations.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>This study identified several opportunities for service improvement in a community TCP service. Health practitioners should be regularly provided with up-to-date information on efficiency of TCP services.</p><p><br></p><p>Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2018) 30 (12): 1529<br></p></div>