Discharge Follow-up Phone Call Program

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

3054 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-02-20

Study Completion Date

2018-04-15

Brief Summary

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The goal of this project is to quantify the impact of post-hospital discharge follow-up phone calls on hospital readmission, ED visits, patient satisfaction, and mortality in a general medicine inpatient population. We will obtain exploratory information on patient sub-groups at high risk for hospital readmission and on those experiencing high benefit from the follow-up phone call intervention. In addition, we will obtain data on discharge plan implementation assistance needed to support a successful transition from inpatient to outpatient care among those reached by the intervention phone call.

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Detailed Description

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RATIONALE

In the current medical literature, it is unclear how follow-up calls influence these outcomes in a general medical population. Some studies have attempted to address this question, but are limited in that they target very specific patient populations, are of insufficient quality, or evaluated follow-up calls as part of a larger care bundle. We will conduct a high quality, real-time clinical care study to determine the efficacy of a follow-up phone call program.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a single center, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial to investigate whether a structured post-hospital discharge follow-up phone call can improve patients' transition from in-hospital to outpatient care and improve satisfaction with their care. We will also identify the discharge implementation assistance given to those in the intervention (Phone Call) group.

Outcome Measures Primary outcome for this study is readmission event rate within 30 days. Secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction which will be measured as mean Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient satisfaction scores, all cause VUMC emergency department (ED) visits, the need for assistance with discharge plan implementation, and 30 day mortality.

Conditions

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Discharge Follow-up Phone Calls

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This is a single center, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Phone Call Group (Intervention Arm)

Follow-up phone call intervention: Patients will receive the first call attempt within 72 hours of hospital discharge with a maximum of 3 call attempts by the study nurse made up until post-discharge day 7. The semi-structured script embedded within the program specific electronic health record Discharge Phone Call Starform is used to guide a conversation to obtain information on potential causes of hospital readmission that can be identified and addressed to improve each patient's transition to outpatient care.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Follow-up Phone Call

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Patients will receive a first call attempt within 72 hours discharge.

Usual Care Group (Control Arm)

Patients assigned to the control group receive standard discharge planning and follow-up per the usual care of their medical providers.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Follow-up Phone Call

Patients will receive a first call attempt within 72 hours discharge.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* VUMC patients discharged after an inpatient status hospital stay on a general medicine service.

Exclusion Criteria

* patients who experience in-hospital death
* patient discharged to any post-acute care facility or inpatient hospice
* left the hospital against medical advice

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No