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>