Age and ageing
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Substitution of a nursing-led inpatient unit for acute services: randomized controlled trial of outcomes and cost of nursing-led intermediate care.
To evaluate the outcome and cost of transfer to a nursing-led inpatient unit for 'intermediate care'. The unit was designed to replace a period of care in acute hospital wards and promote recovery before discharge to the community. ⋯ The nursing-led inpatient unit led to longer hospital stays. Since length of stay is the main driver of costs, this model of care-at least as implemented here-may be more costly. However, since the unit may substitute for both secondary and primary care, longer-term follow-up is needed to determine whether patients are better prepared for discharge under this model of care, resulting in reduced primary-care costs.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A pharmacy discharge plan for hospitalized elderly patients--a randomized controlled trial.
to investigate the effectiveness of a pharmacy discharge plan in elderly hospitalized patients. ⋯ we found no evidence to suggest that the co-ordinated hospital and community pharmacy care discharge plans in elderly patients in this study influence outcomes.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Nutritional supplementation of elderly hip fracture patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
undernourishment is common in elderly hip fracture patients and has been linked to poorer recovery and increased post-operative complications. ⋯ based on our results, we cannot recommend routine nutritional supplementation of all elderly hip fracture patients. While nutritional supplementation may be useful in decreasing complications, this reduction does not result in improvement in functional recovery and nor does it decrease fracture-related mortality. Selected patients may, however, benefit from nutritional supplementation.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized trial of comprehensive geriatric assessment and home intervention in the care of hospitalized patients.
to prove the effectiveness of geriatric evaluation and management for elderly, hospitalized patients, combined with post-discharge home intervention by an interdisciplinary team. ⋯ comprehensive geriatric assessment in combination with post-discharge home intervention does not improve survival, but does improve functional status and can reduce the length of the initial hospital stay and of subsequent readmissions. It can reduce the rate of immediate nursing home admissions and delay permanent nursing home placement. It may also substantially reduce direct costs of hospitalized patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Falls prevention over 2 years: a randomized controlled trial in women 80 years and older.
after 1 year, a home-based programme of strength and balance retraining exercises was effective in reducing falls and injuries in women aged 80 years and older. The exercise programme had been individually prescribed by a physiotherapist during the first 2 months of a randomized controlled trial. ⋯ falls and injuries can be reduced by an individually tailored exercise programme in the home. For those who keep exercising, the benefit continues over a 2-year period.