Can a Rapid 2 Day Followup After Discharge From the ED Reduce Readmissions and Death for Patients 75 Years and Older?

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: Our hypothesis is that a rapid follow up for elderly patients in a Geriatric Clinic discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) will have fewer unplanned return ED visits and fewer unplanned hospital admissions with no attendant increase in mortality.

Patients 75 years of age and older will be randomized following discharge from the ED into two groups. The first will receive standard post ED care. The second will receive an appointment to our Geriatric Clinic within 2-3 days for stabilization, further treatment and contact with the patient's primary physician to communicate the course of the patient's illness and to schedule subsequent follow-up with the patients regular medical provider.

There will be two primary outcomes: The first will be a composite of morality and/or return to the ED at 30 days, and the secondary primary outcome will be mortality. Economic data regarding resource utilization by patients will also be analyzed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2-3 day return appointment	2-3 day return appointment	Patients will receive further treatment in Geriatric Clinic 2-3 days post ED discharge.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mortality and readmissions to emergency department	30 and 180 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mortality	30 and 180 days	Secondary outcome to measure all cause mortality for patients admitted to the study.

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