Conectar
To synthesise and describe the combined evidence from systematic reviews of interventions using elements from the Transitional Care Model, on the content and timeframe of the interventions and the related improvement of outcomes for older patients with multiple chronic conditions.
The population of older patients with multiple chronic conditions is increasing worldwide and trajectories are often complicated by risk factors. The Transitional Care Model may contain elements to support transitions between hospital and home.
An umbrella review.
A comprehensive search in five electronic databases was performed in April 2021 based on the search terms: ‘Patients ≥60 years,’ ‘multi-morbidity,’ ‘Transitional care model,’ ‘Transitional care,’ and ‘Systematic review.’ PRISMA guidelines was used.
Five systematic reviews published from 2011 to 2020 comprising 62 intervention studies (59 randomised controlled trials and three quasi-experimental trials) were included in the review. The synthesis predominantly revealed significant improvements in decreasing re-admissions and financial costs and increasing patients' quality of life and satisfaction during discharge.
The results of the review indicate that multiple elements from the Transitional Care Model have achieved significant improvements in older patients' transitions from hospital to home. Especially a combination of coordination, communication, collaboration and continuity of care in transitions, organised information and education for patients and pre-arranged structured post-discharge follow-ups.
The transition from hospital to home is a complex process for older patients with multiple chronic conditions. A specific focus on coordination, continuity, and patient education should be implemented in the discharge process. Nurses with specialised knowledge in transitional care are needed to ensure safe transitions.
The umbrella review is part of a larger research program which involved a patient expert advisory board, which participated in discussing the relevance of the elements within the umbrella review.
To explore hospital managers' perceptions of the Rapid Response Team.
An explorative qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews.
In September 2019, a qualitative interview study including nineteen hospital managers at three managerial levels in acute care hospitals was conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed with an inductive content analysis approach, involving researcher triangulation in data collection and analysis processes.
One theme, ‘A resource with untapped potential, enhancing patient safety, high-quality nursing, and organisational cohesion’ was identified and underpinned by six categories and 30 sub-categories.
The Rapid Response Team has an influence on the organization that goes beyond the team's original purpose. It strengthens the organization's dynamic cohesion by providing clinical support to nurses and facilitating learning, communication and collaboration across the hospital. Managers lack engagement in the team, including local key data to guide future quality improvement processes.
For organizations, nursing, and patients to benefit from the team to its full potential, managerial engagement seems crucial.
This study addressed possible challenges to using the Rapid Response Team optimally and found that hospital managers perceived this complex healthcare intervention as beneficial to patient safety and nursing quality, but lacked factual insight into the team's deliverances. The research impacts patient safety pointing at the need to re-organize managerial involvement in the function and development of the Rapid Response Team and System.
We have adhered to the COREQ checklist when reporting this study.
“No Patient or Public Contribution”
FreshRSS 