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☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Clinical Nursing

Clinical outcomes of nurse‐coordinated interventions for frail older adults discharged from hospital: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Por: Kirsten J. Parker · Julee Mcdonagh · Caleb Ferguson · Louise D. Hickman — Julio 2nd 2024 at 04:24

Abstract

Aim

To determine the effects of nurse-coordinated interventions in improving readmissions, cumulative hospital stay, mortality, functional ability and quality of life for frail older adults discharged from hospital.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic search using key search terms of ‘frailty’, ‘geriatric’, ‘hospital’ and ‘nurse’. Covidence was used to screen individual studies. Studies were included that addressed frail older adults, incorporated a significant nursing role in the intervention and were implemented during hospital admission with a focus on transition from hospital to home.

Data Sources

This review searched MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PubMed (EBSCO), Scopus, Embase (Ovid) and Cochrane library for studies published between 2000 and September 2023.

Results

Of 7945 abstracts screened, a total 16 randomised controlled trials were identified. The 16 randomised controlled trials had a total of 8795 participants, included in analysis. Due to the heterogeneity of the outcome measures used meta-analysis could only be completed on readmission (n = 13) and mortality (n = 9). All other remaining outcome measures were reported through narrative synthesis. A total of 59 different outcome measure assessments and tools were used between studies. Meta-analysis found statistically significant intervention effect at 1-month readmission only. No other statistically significant effects were found on any other time point or outcome.

Conclusion

Nurse-coordinated interventions have a significant effect on 1-month readmissions for frail older adults discharged from hospital. The positive effect of interventions on other health outcomes within studies were mixed and indistinct, this is attributed to the large heterogeneity between studies and outcome measures.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This review should inform policy around transitional care recommendations at local, national and international levels. Nurses, who constitute half of the global health workforce, are ideally situated to provide transitional care interventions. Nurse-coordinated models of care, which identify patient needs and facilitate the continuation of care into the community improve patient outcomes.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Review findings will be useful for key stakeholders, clinicians and researchers to learn more about the essential elements of nurse-coordinated transitional care interventions that are best targeted to meet the needs of frail older adults.

Impact

When frail older adults experience transitions in care, for example discharging from hospital to home, there is an increased risk of adverse events, such as institutionalisation, hospitalisation, disability and death. Nurse-coordinated transitional care models have shown to be a potential solution to support adults with specific chronic diseases, but there is more to be known about the effectiveness of interventions in frail older adults. This review demonstrated the positive impact of nurse-coordinated interventions in improving readmissions for up to 1 month post-discharge, helping to inform future transitional care interventions to better support the needs of frail older adults.

Reporting Method

This systematic review was reported in accordance with the Referred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Clinical Nursing

INFORM‐AF II—Phase 1 pilot randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of an atrial fibrillation digital education programme: study protocol

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the effect of a novel, co-designed, digital AF educational program, ‘INFORM-AF’, to reduce re-hospitalisation of people with AF.

The secondary aims are to examine the effect of the intervention on: (a) reducing cardiovascular-related hospitalisation, (b) increasing medication adherence, AF-related knowledge, and Atrial fibrillation (AF)-related quality of life and (c) determining the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Background

AF is an increasingly prevalent cardiac arrythmia that involves complex clinical management. Comprehensive education is essential for successful self-management of AF and is associated with positive health-related outcomes. There has been an increase in technology-based education for AF. However, its effects on hospitalisation, medication adherence and patient-reported outcomes are unclear.

Design

A prospective, randomised (1:1), open-label, blinded-endpoint, multicentre clinical trial.

Methods

Eligible participants are aged 18 years or above, diagnosed with AF, and own a smartphone. The study will be conducted at two metropolitan hospitals. In the intervention group, participants will receive the AF educational program delivered via Qstream®. In the control group, participants will receive the Stroke Foundation ‘Living with AF’ booklet. The primary outcome is re-hospitalisation within 12 months from an indexed presentation or hospital admission.

Conclusion

This clinical trial is part of a developing program of work that will examine mHealth educational-behavioural interventions on cardiovascular outcomes. Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of a digital educational framework for patients living with AF.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

There remain many gaps in providing high-quality patient education for patients with AF. This trial will test a new theory-driven, smartphone-based education program on important clinical outcomes, including rehospitalisation.

Impact

This study evaluates a novel, co-designed, digital AF educational program, ‘INFORM-AF’, to reduce the re-hospitalisation of people with AF. Study results are expected to be reported in 2025. Findings are expected to inform practice recommendations for AF patient education that may be included in future clinical practice guideline recommendations.

Reporting Method

SPIRIT Checklist.

Patient or Publication Contribution

JL is a consumer co-researcher on the project and provided critical input into intervention design, and feedback and input across the study duration.

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