No abstract

Objective To assess the effectiveness of moving patients who are waiting in hospital for a long term care bed to an off-site transitional care facility. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Three public hospitals in Southern Adelaide. Participants 320 elderly patients (mean age 83 years) in acute hospital beds (212 randomised to intervention, 108 to control). Interventions A transitional care facility where all patients received a single assessment from a specialist elder care team and appropriate ongoing therapy. Main outcome measures Length of stay in hospital, rates of readmission, deaths, and patient's functional level (modified Barthel index), quality of life (assessment of quality of life), and care needs (residential care scale) at four months. Results From admission, those in the intervention group stayed a median of 32.5 days (95% confidence interval 29 to 36 days) in hospital. In the control group the median length of stay was 43.5 days (41 to 51 days) (95% confidence interval for difference 6 to 16 days).

There were significant obstacles to the implementation of most falls prevention guidelines examined. Treatment for osteoporosis was more acceptable to participants than exercise classes, cessation of psychotropic medication, and having a home safety assessment. Osteoporosis treatment, which had the least resistance, also had the least impact on the participants' lifestyle.

Aims (OR=12.3;. We were unable to show a reduction in falls (OR=1.7;. Conclusions:A patient centered evidence-based approach is feasible and effective in increasing uptake of falls prevention advice. Long term compliance with advice needs further exploration.