Intermediate hospital care for subacute elderly patients as an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization

Objective: We evaluated the rapid discharge of older patients with reactivated chronic diseases from an acute general hospital to an intermediate care hospital. Methods: A cohort study was carried out. Compliance with predefined quality standards and patient selection were evaluated. Results: Sixty-eight patients (mean age 82.6 years, 48.5% men) were discharged from the emergency department (69.1%) or medical wards (mean [SD] global length of stay 2.6 [2.9] days in acute wards and 1.5 [1.6] days in the emergency department). Mean post-acute length of stay (SD) was 11.4 (4.2) days. Fifty-six patients (82.4%) were discharged to their previous living situation (home or nursing home), two back to the emergency department, seven to long-term care, and three died. All quality standards were met. In a multivariate analysis, male gender and a higher risk of malnutrition were associated with an increased risk of not returning to the previous living situation (p <0.05). Conclusions: Intermediate care for selected patients with reactivated chronic diseases might represent an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization. © 2011 SESPAS.