DescriptionPurpose of the Project: The aim of the project was to determine the effect of an early follow up program for decompensated liver cirrhotic Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients on 30-day emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.
Methodology: The 29 eligible patients (16 Hispanic and 13 non-Hispanic) were called via telephone 1 week and 2 weeks after hospital discharge to assess their medication compliance, dietary status, and the presence of any emergent conditions. Emergency room (ER) visits and hospital readmissions were compared 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after implementation.
Results: There were no differences between the number of ER visits and 30-day hospital readmissions before and after implementation when Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients were evaluated as a whole. Comparisons between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients showed that early follow up resulted in significant reductions in the number of ER visits and 30-day readmissions among Hispanic patients (ER visits X² = Pearson, p = 0.006 and 30-day readmissions X² = Pearson, p = 0.004). The nutritional status of the patients who were at risk showed a significant improvement post referral (X² = Pearson, p = 0.039).
Implications for Practice: Since readmissions are associated with worsening patient outcomes and increased health-care costs, targeted interventions like those tested in this project should be developed for those patients who are at increased risk for readmission.