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Prevention of Readmissions at IBD Centres of Excellence

Not Applicable
Conditions
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Crohn Disease
Colitis, Ulcerative
Interventions
Behavioral: Nurse Follow-Up
Other: Standard of Care
Other: Electronic Monitoring
Other: Post-Discharge Questionnaire
Registration Number
NCT02931799
Lead Sponsor
Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
Brief Summary

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are frequently hospitalized, with an increased risk of repeat hospitalizations within the same calendar year. Given that hospital readmissions represent a significant burden to patients and the health care system, a standardised pathway for IBD patients discharged from the hospital can have a significant impact on reducing readmission rates, healthcare utilization and patient satisfaction. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an IBD post-discharge pathway, involving post-discharge nurse follow-up and electronic monitoring, in reducing IBD readmission rates.

Detailed Description

Background: Hospital readmission rates are a key issue in health policy as they place a large burden on the healthcare system. Readmissions are a preventable source of health care expenditure and in some cases, represent an opportunity for quality improvement. Lack of standardization in hospital discharge processes, and deficiencies in the transition of care after discharge, predispose patients to an increased risk of illness, hospital utilization and healthcare costs. Previously identified issues in discharge planning include timely transmission of discharge summaries to primary care providers and lack of communication between providers and patients with respect to discharge medications and follow-up appointments.

Rationale: Various post-discharge interventions have been effective in reducing hospital readmission rates and increasing patient satisfaction. However, in patients with flares of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), there is limited evidence to suggest which processes of care are protective against readmissions. IBD patients are frequently hospitalized, with over 22% of patients hospitalized within the first 2 years of diagnosis. Moreover, readmission rates are high in the IBD population, with over 20% of patients readmitted within the same calendar year of their initial hospitalization. Alongside increased healthcare expenditure, hospitalizations in the IBD population are associated with a number of nosocomial complications including venous thromboembolism and infection.

Specific Aim: The primary aim of this study is to determine whether standardized IBD post-discharge pathway, involving regular follow-up with an advanced practice nurse and electronic monitoring through a web-based application, decreases the risk of IBD readmissions when compared to the usual standard of care.

Study Design: All IBD inpatients with a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) or Crohn's Disease (CD) will be approached to participate in this parallel group randomized control trial. Patients randomized to the control arm will be discharged with the usual post-discharge standard of care. Patients randomized to the intervention arm will receive the usual post-discharge standard of care, in addition to organised follow-up with an advance practice nurse and electronic monitoring through a web-based application.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria
  • At least 18 years of age
  • IBD diagnosis of UC or CD
  • Hospitalization for diagnosis or exacerbation of IBD
Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • No internet access
  • Death during hospitalization
  • History of surgical management for IBD

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Nurse Follow-Up and Electronic MonitoringPost-Discharge Questionnaire-
Nurse Follow-Up and Electronic MonitoringNurse Follow-Up-
Minimal InterventionPost-Discharge Questionnaire-
Minimal InterventionStandard of Care-
Nurse Follow-Up and Electronic MonitoringElectronic Monitoring-
Nurse Follow-Up and Electronic MonitoringStandard of Care-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post-Discharge ReadmissionWithin 30 days of initial hospital discharge

Occurrence of post-discharge readmissions will be recorded for all patients enrolled in the study. Post-discharge readmissions will be defined as any IBD readmission subsequent to the initial hospital admission where the patient was enrolled in the study. Post-discharge readmission rates will be compared between study arms.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient Satisfaction with Health Care in IBD30 days post-discharge

Patient satisfaction with health care in IBD as measured by CACHE will be collected from all patients, through a web-based questionnaire administered at 30 days post-discharge of initial hospitalization; where patients were enrolled in the study. Mean scores for Patient Satisfaction with Health Care in IBD will be compared between study arms.

IBD related Quality of Life30 days post-discharge

IBD related Quality of Life as measured by IBDQ will be collected from all patients, through a web-based questionnaire administered at 30 days post-discharge of initial hospitalization; where patients were enrolled in the study. Mean scores for IBD related Quality of Life will be compared between study arms.

Post-Discharge Occurrence of Venous ThromboembolismWithin 30 days of initial hospital discharge

Occurrence of post-discharge venous thromboembolism will be recorded for all patients enrolled in the study. Post-discharge occurrence of venous thromboembolism will be defined as any event of venous thromboembolism subsequent to the initial hospital admission where the patient was enrolled in the study. Post-discharge rates of venous thromboembolism will be compared between study arms.

Disease Activity30 days post-discharge

Disease Activity as measured by PRO-2 for Crohn's Disease or 6-Point Mayo Score for Ulcerative Colitis will be collected from all patients, through a web-based questionnaire administered at 30 days post-discharge of initial hospitalization; where patients were enrolled in the study. Mean scores for disease activity will be compared between study arms.

Patient Satisfaction with 'Health Promise'30 days post-discharge

Patient satisfaction with the 'Heath Promise' application will be collected from patients enrolled in the experimental arm, through a web-based questionnaire administered at 30 days post-discharge of initial hospitalization; where patients were enrolled in the study. Mean score for patient satisfaction the 'Health Promise' application will be interpreted.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Mount Sinai Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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