Early and Intensive therapy for hospitalised trauma patients improves hospital and patient reported outcomes
Lara Kimmel1,2, Melissa Webb1, Belinda Gabbe2, Doug McCaskie11Alfred Health, Victoria, Australia2Monash University, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Introduction: Evidence suggests that early and intensive allied health (AH) therapy may allow for improved outcomes following hospitalisation.
Methods: In 2018, the Transport Accident Commission and Alfred Health partnered to establish a new 7-day model of AH care for acute hospital trauma patients with the primary goal of providing early intervention and increased therapy.
Outcomes included discharge destination, length of stay (LOS) and patient reported 6 and 12 month outcomes as compared to a similar patient cohort in 2019. Reviewing specific cohorts including major trauma, orthopaedic trauma and older patients formed an integral part of the analysis.
Results: The project commenced in 2020. The intensive therapy cohort were more likely to be discharged directly home rather than to another inpatient bed (acute or rehabilitation) with no increase in LOS or readmissions. Patients aged over 65 and those who had an ICU stay showed the greatest benefits in hospital-based outcomes and the major trauma cohort showed significant cost benefit. Patients in the intensive therapy group had a significant increase in odds of return to work at 12 months post injury (after considering relevant confounders).
Conclusion: Overall, providing early, intensive AH therapy with a team based approach to patient care can lead to improved hospital outcomes, and reduce health service utilisation which is a vital resource in this post pandemic era, as well as lead to improved 12 month patient reported outcomes.
Biography
Lara is the Allied Health Team Leader for the trauma ward at The Alfred. She is passionate about improving patient flow, innovative models of care and the use of data to inform practice.