Ms Melanie Haley1, Ms Katherine Lawler1, Ms Anatole Jasonides1, Ms Rhiannon Pendleton1, Ms Anne Pagram1, Mr Timothy Albiston1, Ms Susan Parslow1, Mr Christopher Sloan1
1Eastern Health, Mont Albert North, Australia
Abstract:
Aim:
To test the feasibility and effectiveness of a model of care in general medicine incorporating exercise groups and a focus on reducing functional decline.
Method:
This observational study compared routinely collected data of patients ≥65 years from an intervention ward with two usual-care wards during a 6-week period. The intervention was a thrice-weekly exercise group and a physiotherapy service that prioritised prevention of functional decline. Outcomes were length of stay, discharge destination and change in mobility status (categorical variable improved/did not improve). Length of stay was analysed using independent t tests, change in mobility status using odds ratio and discharge destination data using z tests.
Results:
Data from 369 patients were collected (Intervention n=127, Usual Care n=242). The odds of patient mobility status improving was significantly higher on the intervention ward compared with the usual care wards (OR 2.47 (1.54-3.95) p<0.001). There was no difference between the intervention and usual care wards for length of stay in hospital (Mean 14.0 days [SD 17.9] v Mean 11.6 days [SD 15.2] p=0.173). There was no difference in proportion discharged home (60.6% v 67.4% p=0.939), to sub-acute wards (25.2% v 19.0% p=0.167) or to new residential care (1.6% v 5.0% p=0.1065). No adverse events were experienced by patients participating in exercise groups.
Significance of the findings to allied health:
This model of physiotherapy care was feasible and improved the odds of improving mobility status but did not impact length of stay or discharge destination.
Biography:
Melanie Haley is an Aged and Complex Care physiotherapist at Eastern Health. She has completed her Masters in Gerontology at La Trobe University, including a minor thesis on frailty in the sub-acute setting. She is a current member of the Safer Care Victoria Care of Older People governance committee and has research interests in prevention of hospital functional decline, frailty and delirium.