Findings from University of Southern California Reveals New Findings on Managed Care (Investigating the Impact of Intervention Refusal on Hospital…

Findings from University of Southern California Reveals New Findings on Managed Care (Investigating the Impact of Intervention Refusal on Hospital Readmission)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Investigators publish new report on Managed Care. According to news originating from Alhambra, California, by VerticalNews correspondents, research stated, "To identify characteristics and readmission risks associated with opting out of a social work-driven transition intervention. Secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled pilot study at a large nonprofit urban community hospital."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the University of Southern California, "Hospitalized English-speaking, cognitively intact adults 65 years or older with expected discharge back to the community were eligible for enrollment. Additionally, patients met at least 1 of the 3 criteria: 1) 75 years or older, 2) taking 5 or more medications, or 3) had 1 or more prior inpatient stays or emergency department visits in the previous 6 months. The transition intervention consisted of up to 2 in-home visits (the first occurring within 48 hours after discharge) and up to 4 telephone follow-up calls (for a maximum of 6 total contacts) by a transition social worker. This study analyzed participants randomized to the intervention arm on measures including demographics, medical diagnoses, presence of advance directive, and all-cause 30-day hospital readmissions. Of the 90 patients randomized to the Social Work Intervention Focused on Transitions intervention group, 10% were readmitted within 30 days and nearly one-third refused (ie, opted out of) the home visit component of the intervention. Multivariate analyses revealed that those opting out of the intervention had 3 times greater odds of having a respiratory condition compared with intervention recipients (odds ratio [OR], 3.10; 95% CI, 1.09-8.80; P = .034). Additionally, opting out of the intervention (OR, 6.75; 95% CI, 1.05-43.52; P = .045) and having a diagnosis of cancer (OR, 29.59; 95% CI, 2.01-435.45; P = .014) significantly predicted readmission."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Findings suggest that some at-risk patients may not be receptive to services and programs aimed at improving care transitions, resulting in a higher risk for readmission."

For more information on this research see: Investigating the Impact of Intervention Refusal on Hospital Readmission. American Journal of Managed Care, 2017;23(12):E394-E401. American Journal of Managed Care can be contacted at: Managed Care & Healthcare Communications Llc, 666 Plainsboro Rd, Ste 300, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, USA.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from A.C. Kogan, Univ Southern Calif, Dept. of Family Med & Geriatr, Keck Sch Med, Alhambra, CA 91803, United States. Additional authors for this research include E. Koons and S. Enguidanos.

Keywords for this news article include: Alhambra, California, United States, North and Central America, Managed Care, Hospitals, University of Southern California.

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