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Abstract Background Clinical uncertainty is inherent for people with frailty and multimorbidity. Depleted physiological reserves increase vulnerability to a decline in health and adverse outcomes from a stressor event. Evidence-based tools can improve care processes and outcomes, but little is known about priorities to deliver care for older people with frailty and multimorbidity. This study aimed to explore the preferences and priorities for patients, family carers and healthcare practitioners to enhance care processes of comprehensive assessment, communication and continuity of care in managing clinical uncertainty using evidence-based tools. Methods A parallel mixed method observational study in four inpatient intermediate care units (community hospitals) for patients in transition between hospital and home. We used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to examine patient and family preferences and priorities on the attributes of enhanced services; and stakeholder consultations with practitioners to discuss and generate recommendations on using tools to augment care processes. Data analysis used logit modelling in the DCE, and framework analysis for consultation data. Results Thirty-three patients participated in the DCE (mean age 84 years, SD 7.76). Patients preferred a service where family were contacted on admission and discharge (β 0.36, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.61), care received closer to home (β − 0.04, 95% CI − 0.06 to − 0.02) and the GP is fully informed about care (β 0.29, 95% CI 0.05–0.52). Four stakeholder consultations (n = 48 participants) generated 20 recommendations centred around three main themes: tailoring care processes to manage multiple care needs for an ageing population with frailty and multimorbidity; the importance of ongoing communication with patient and family; and clear and concise evidence-based tools to enhance communication between clinical teams and continuity of care on discharge. Conclusion Family engagement is vital to manage clinical uncertainty. Both patients and practitioners prioritise engaging the family to support person-centred care and continuity of care within and across care settings. Patients wished to maximise family involvement by enabling their support with a preference for care close to home. Evidence-based tools used across disciplines and services can provide a shared succinct language to facilitate communication and continuity of care at points of transition in care settings.

Abstract Background Despite increasing use of telemedicine in the field of palliative care, studies about the best circumstances and processes where it could replace face-to-face interaction are lacking. This study aimed to: (1) identify situations that are most amenable to the use of telemedicine for the provision of palliative care to patients in nursing homes; and (2) understand how telemedicine could best be integrated into the routine practice of mobile palliative care teams. Methods A qualitative study based on semi-structured focus groups (n = 7) with professionals (n = 33) working in mobile palliative care teams in France. Results Between June and July 2019, 7 mobile palliative care teams participated in one focus group each. Using thematic analysis, we found that telemedicine use in palliative care is about navigating between usual and new practices. Several influencing factors also emerged, which influence the use of telemedicine for palliative care, depending on the situation. Finally, we built a use-case model of palliative care to help mobile palliative care teams identify circumstances where telemedicine could be useful, or not. Conclusions The potential utility of telemedicine for delivering palliative care in nursing homes largely depends on the motive for calling on the mobile palliative care team. Requests regarding symptoms may be particularly amenable to telemedicine, whereas psycho-social distress may not. Further studies are warranted to assess the impact of influencing factors on real-life palliative care practices. Telemedicine could nonetheless be a useful addition to the mobile palliative care teams’ armamentarium.

Abstract Background Adults increasingly live and die with chronic progressive conditions into advanced age. Many live with multimorbidity and an uncertain illness trajectory with points of marked decline, loss of function and increased risk of end of life. Intermediate care units support mainly older adults in transition between hospital and home to regain function and anticipate and plan for end of life. This study examined the patient characteristics and the factors associated with mortality over 1 year post-admission to an intermediate care unit to inform priorities for care. Methods A national cohort study of adults admitted to intermediate care units in England using linked individual-level Hospital Episode Statistics and death registration data. The main outcome was mortality within 1 year from admission. The cohort was examined as two groups with significant differences in mortality between main diagnosis of a non-cancer condition and cancer. Data analysis used Kaplan-Meier curves to explore mortality differences between the groups and a time-dependant Cox proportional hazards model to determine mortality risk factors. Results The cohort comprised 76,704 adults with median age 81 years (IQR 70–88) admitted to 220 intermediate care units over 1 year in 2016. Overall, 28.0% died within 1 year post-admission. Mortality varied by the main diagnosis of cancer (total n = 3680, 70.8% died) and non-cancer condition (total n = 73,024, 25.8% died). Illness-related factors had the highest adjusted hazard ratios [aHRs]. At 0–28 days post-admission, risks were highest for non-cancer respiratory conditions (pneumonia (aHR 6.17 [95%CI 4.90–7.76]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aHR 5.01 [95% CI 3.78–6.62]), dementia (aHR 5.07 [95% CI 3.80–6.77]) and liver disease (aHR 9.75 [95% CI 6.50–14.6]) compared with musculoskeletal disorders. In cancer, lung cancer showed largest risk (aHR 1.20 [95%CI 1.04–1.39]) compared with cancer ‘other’. Risks increased with high multimorbidity for non-cancer (aHR 2.57 [95% CI 2.36–2.79]) and cancer (aHR 2.59 [95% CI 2.13–3.15]) (reference: lowest). Conclusions One in four patients died within 1 year. Indicators for palliative care assessment are respiratory conditions, dementia, liver disease, cancer and rising multimorbidity. The traditional emphasis on rehabilitation and recovery in intermediate care units has changed with an ageing population and the need for greater integration of palliative care.

Abstract Background As an alternative to acute hospitalisations, all communities in Norway are required to provide inpatient care in municipal acute bed units (MAUs) for patients who can be treated at the primary care level. Patient selection is challenging, and some patients need transfer from MAUs to hospitals. The aim of this study was to examine associations between characteristics of the patient at admission to MAU and further transfer to hospital. Methods In a prospective observational study on all admissions to a large MAU, March 2016–August 2017, information was obtained on patient age, gender, comorbidities, drug use, reason for stay and Triage Early Warning Score (TEWS) on admission and at discharge, and length of stay. Comparison between admissions resulting in discharge to hospital, nursing home or own home were performed with chi-square and ANOVA tests. Estimated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval for transfer to hospital versus being retained at primary care level was estimated for age, gender, comorbidity and TEWS in generalized linear models, crude and adjusted. Results Two thousand seven hundred forty-four admissions were included. Mean age of the patients was 69.5 years (SD 21.9), 65.2% were women. In 646 admissions (23.6%), the patients were transferred to hospital. Male gender and TEWS > 2 were associated with transfer to hospital. Most transfers to hospital occurred within 24 h, and these patients had unchanged or increasing TEWS during their stay at MAU. When transferred to hospital 41.5% of the patients had the same reason for stay as on MAU admission, 14.9% had another reason for stay, 25.2% had a medical condition outside the treatment scope of MAU, and 18.4% needed further diagnostic clarification in hospital. Conclusions Likelihood of transfer to hospital increased with male gender and higher TEWS on admission. Main reasons for transfer to hospital were lack of improvement and identification of clinical conditions that needed hospital care. TEWS > 2 at admission should make physicians alert to the need of close monitoring for lack of improvement.

Older adults often experience functional decline following acute medical care. This functional decline may lead to permanent disability, which will increase the burden on the medical and long-term care systems, families, and society as a whole. Post-acute care aims to promote the functional recovery of older adults, prevent unnecessary hospital readmission, and avoid premature admission to a long-term care facility. Research has shown that post-acute care is a cost-effective service model, with both the hospital-at-home and community hospital post-acute care models being highly effective. This paper describes the post-acute care models of the United States and the United Kingdom and uses the example of Taiwan’s highly effective post-acute care system to explain the benefits and importance of post-acute care. In the face of rapid demographic aging and smaller household size, a post-acute care system can lower medical costs and improve the health of older adults after hospitalization.

Background & Aim: Non-invasive ventilation is a procedure that reduces respiratory stress and improves gas exchange, using a patient-ventilator interface; however, it presents consequences such as the development of facial pressure ulcers. We aim to identify the factors associated with facial pressure ulcers in Intermediate Care Facilities patients submitted to non-invasive ventilation. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study was performed in an intermediate care facilities, of a Portuguese hospital, from August to October of 2018, the study population consisted of patients hospitalized in this unit, who underwent to non-invasive ventilation. Data were collected through an observational form developed to obtain the information of the entire period of hospitalization of the patient. The software used to analyze the data was IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. For the descriptive analysis, absolute and relative frequencies also means and standard deviations were computed. Also, to describe the association between the variables, The point biserial correlation coefficient (rpb) were calculated. For data analysis, a significance level of .05 (α) was used. Results: 14.6% of the individuals developed PU, all in the nasal pyramid. NIV was used for 6.07±3.91 days, and PU developed between the 3rd and the 20th day. It was observed that the presence of PU had a significant positive correlation with the GCS score (rpb=0.390, p=0.012) and a significant negative correlation with the duration of NIV (rpb=-0.438, p=0.004). Dependency level, PU risk, and nutritional risk did not correlate with the development of PU. Conclusion: The pressure ulcers associated with non-invasive ventilation appear to be more frequently developed on the nasal pyramid and between the 3rd and the 20th day. Moreover, the level of consciousness and the time of administration of non-invasive ventilation are associated with the development of pressure ulcers.

The objective of this study was to assess complexity of patients discharged from hospital to intermediate care facility in an Italian setting. Multiple anonymous health-related databases were linked at the individual patient level through a stochastic key to study patients discharged from the University Hospital of Udine, Italy, from 2010 to 2019. Patient complexity was measured through diagnosis related group (DRG) relative weight of each hospitalization, number of chronic conditions and annual use of health resources. 12,674 intermediate care facility admissions were recorded in the study period. Mean DRG weight was 1.54±1.05 with variations depending on the discharging hospital ward. Patients discharged to intermediate facilities had higher DRG weight, had more comorbidities and consumed more health resources than the others, particularly in case of patients discharged from surgical wards. Patients discharged to intermediate care facilities are particularly complex, have high use of health resources, and may be difficult to manage.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a small municipality acute bed unit (MAU) in rural Norway resulting from the Coordination reform regarding occupancy-rate, patient characteristics and healthcare provided during the first four years of operation. Further, to investigate whether implementation of the new municipal service avoided acute hospital admissions. Design: Observational study. Setting: A two-bed municipal acute bed unit. Subjects: All patients admitted to the unit between 2013 and 2016. Main outcome measures: Demographics, comorbidity, main diagnoses and level of municipal care on admission and discharge, diagnostic and therapeutic initiatives, MAU occupancy rate, and acute hospital admission rate. Results: Altogether, 389 admissions occurred, 215 first-time admissions and 174 readmissions. The mean MAU bed occupancy rate doubled from of 0.26 in 2013 to 0.50 in 2016, while acute hospital admission rates declined. The patients (median age 84.0 years, 48.9% women at first time admission) were most commonly admitted for infections (28.0%), observation (22.1%) or musculoskeletal symptoms (16.2%). Some 52.7% of the patients admitted from home were discharged to a higher care level; musculoskeletal problems as admission diagnosis predicted this (RR =1.43, 95% CI 1.20–1.71, adjusted for age and sex). Conclusion: Admission rates to MAU increased during the first years of operation. In the same period, there was a reduction in acute hospital admissions. Patient selection was largely in accordance with national and local criteria, including observational stays. Half the patients admitted from home were discharged to nursing home, suggesting that the unit was used as pathway to a higher municipal care level.Key Points Evaluation of the first four years of operation of a municipality acute bed unit (MAU) in rural Norway revealed: • Admission rates to MAU increased, timely coinciding with decreased acute admission rates to hospital medical wards. • Most patients were old and had complex health problems. • Only half the patients were discharged back home; musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with discharge to a higher care level.

Objective: The Coordination reform was implemented in Norway from 2012, aiming at seamless patient trajectories. All municipalities are required to establish emergency care beds (MEBs) to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. We aimed to examine occupancy rate, patient characteristics, diagnoses and discharge level of municipal care in a small MEB unit. Design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Setting: A two-bed emergency care unit. Subjects: All patients admitted to the unit during one year. Main outcome measures: Patients’ age and gender, comorbidity, main diagnoses and municipal care level on admission and discharge, diagnostic and therapeutic initiatives, occupancy rate. Results: Sixty admissions were registered, with total bed occupancy 194 days, and an occupancy rate of 0.27. The patients (median age 83 years, 57% women) had mostly infections, musculoskeletal symptoms or undefined conditions. Some 48% of the stays exceeded three days and 43% of the patients were subsequently transferred to nursing homes or hospitals. Conclusion: Occupancy rate was low. Patient selection was not according to national standards, and stays were longer. Many patients were transferred to nursing homes, indicating that the unit was an intermediate pathway or a short cut to institutional care. It is unclear whether the unit avoided hospital admissions.

Se realizó un estudio de carácter retrospectivo descriptivo de los pacientes ingresado con el diagnóstico de leptospirosis durante la epidemia que se produjo en la provincia de Cienfuegos del 1ro. de agosto de 1995 al 31 de octubre de 1995. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 25 pacientes que ingresaron en el Servicio de Terapia Intermedia y se analizaron variables como: edad, sexo, municipio, evolución, labores agrícolas previas, falla orgánica, teniendo como objetivo conocer la evolución y los factores que incidieron en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. Se empleó un método computadorizado para el procesamiento de datos. Se comprobó la amplia relación de la enfermedad con la realización de labores agrícolas, el grupo etario más afectado fue el de 50 a 59 años, se empleó la plasmaféresis en el tratamiento con buenos resultados y existió evolución satisfactoria en la mayoría de los casos.A retrospective-descriptive study of patients admitted with diagnosed leptospirosis to Intermediate Care Unit during an outbreak from August 1st to October 31st, 1995 in Cienfuegos province was conducted. The medical records of 25 patients admitted to the ICU were checked and variables such as age, sex, municipality, evolution, previous agricultural work, and organ failure were analyzed with the purpose of finding out the factors affecting the development of the disease. A computer-aided method for data provessing was used. A great association between such disease and the agricultural work was shown. The more affected age group was 50-59 years and plasmapheresis was successfully used for the treatment. Most of the cases recovered satisfactorily from the disease.

El traumatismo abdominal representa del 15-20 % del total de las lesiones traumáticas. Nuestro objetivo fue conocer el comportamiento del traumatismo abdominal predominante en el lesionado complejo. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 24 pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios Quirúrgicos del Hospital Militar Central “Dr. Luis Díaz Soto” durante el año 2002, con el diagnóstico de trauma abdominal predominante. Hubo una mayor incidencia del traumatismo cerrado (70.8%), predominando en el sexo masculino (75%). El lavado peritoneal diagnóstico y la punción abdominal fueron los procedimientos más utilizados. Las lesiones más frecuentes fueron del hígado, el intestino delgado y el hematoma retroperitoneal. La hepatorrafia (30%) fue la técnica quirúrgica más empleada. Las complicaciones (29.2%) más frecuentes fueron la sepsis intraabdominal, de la herida quirúrgica y los trastornos hidroelectrolíticos. La mortalidad fue del 8.3%. La tendencia del comportamiento del traumatismo abdominal no ha logrado variarse en los últimos años, su frecuencia se mantiene estable y el tratamiento quirúrgico continúa siendo el más empleado.The abdominal traumatism represents the 15-20 % of the total of the traumatic lesions. Our objective was to know the behavior of the abdominal traumatism, predominant in the patients with complex lesions. We went through the clinical records of 24 patients who entered the Surgical Intermediate Care Unit of the Central Military Hospital Luis Díaz Soto during 2002, with diagnosis of predominant abdominal trauma. There was a higher incidence of the closed traumatism (70.8 %), predominating the male sex (75 %). The peritoneal diagnostic lavage and the abdominal punction were the most used procedures. The most frequent lesions were those in the liver, the small intestine and the retroperitoneal hematoma. Hepatorraphy (30 %) was the most used surgical technique. The most frequent complications (29.2 %) intra-abdominal sepsis, complications of the surgical injury and electrolytic disturbs. There was 8.3 % of mortality. There was not any variation of the abdominal traumatism behavior tendency achieved in the last years, its frequency is steady and the surgical treatment is still the most used.