Effect of Nurse Practitioner (NP) Intervention Program for elderly patients: Transitional Care from Hospital to Home

Abstract

The quasi-experimental research aims to study the effects of a home healthcare program on the care of older adults patients transitioning from hospital to home, specifically regarding readmission within 28 days, satisfaction, and self-management at home. The sample group consists of 50 older adults patients, and research tools include data records, daily activity assessments, and a follow-up program for patients readmitted within 28 days. The study yielded index values of 1.00 for content validity, 0.94 for satisfaction assessment, and 0.74 for self-management evaluation. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results indicated that the majority of the sample group, mostly females with cancer, had an average of 4 chronic illnesses and used an average of 16 types of medication. After the program, 7 patients were readmitted within 28 days, primarily due to the same illnesses. High levels of satisfaction were reported in all assessment categories, and significant improvements in self-management at home were observed post-program (P<.05). The program demonstrated positive outcomes for older adults patients/families/caregivers and should be considered for other patient groups during the hospital-to-home transition period.