Geriatrics and Gerontology International
Volume 15, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 196-203

Migrant care workers and rehospitalization among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals (Article)

Fusco S.* , Corsonello A. , Chiatti C. , Fabbietti P. , Salerno G. , De Bonis E. , Corica F. , Lattanzio F.
  • a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy, Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
  • b Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
  • c Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
  • d Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
  • e Unit of Rehabilitation, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
  • f Scientific Direction, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Ancona, Italy
  • g Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
  • h Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA), Cosenza, Italy

Abstract

Aim: The relationship between support at home and rehospitalization has not been extensively studied until now. In particular, little is known about the impact of being assisted by migrant care workers (MCW) and rehospitalization. We aimed at investigating such a relationship in a population of older patients discharged from hospitals. Methods: Our series consisted of 506 patients aged 65 years or older consecutively enrolled in a prospective observational study involving 11 acute care medical wards throughout Italy. The outcome of the study was the occurrence of at least one rehospitalization during 1-year follow up. Information derived from comprehensive geriatric assessment, discharge diagnoses and prescribed drugs were collected during the index hospitalization. Data about formal and informal assistance (spouse, son, other relative, MCW, home nursing) were collected. The relationship between study variables and rehospitalization was assessed using logistic regression. Results: Being assisted by MCW was independently associated with the outcome (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.10-4.37), as were complete dependency (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.28-5.79) and overall comorbidity (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.43). Older age was associated with a lower likelihood of rehospitalization (age 75-84 vs <75 years OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.30-0.92; age ≥85 vs <75 years OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.65). Conclusions: Being assisted by MCW could contribute to an increase in the rate of use of hospital resources for older complex patients. This finding raises the need for educational efforts targeting MCW. © 2014 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Author Keywords

Migrant care workers Comorbidity Hospital Older patients Rehospitalization

Index Keywords

Patient Readmission prospective study Caregivers logistic regression analysis home care health care personnel risk hospital discharge follow up Prospective Studies human correlation analysis comorbidity statistics and numerical data priority journal Aged Logistic Models prescription Confidence interval migrant worker Humans male female Aged, 80 and over spouse very elderly Geriatric Assessment observational study Article major clinical study emergency care migration hospital readmission geriatric patient outcome assessment Italy statistical model Transients and Migrants relative son caregiver
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84921537902&doi=10.1111%2fggi.12254&partnerID=40&md5=ee380e03cb41472026f206208ed5516f
DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12254
ISSN: 14441586
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English