Supportive Care Network: Evaluation of Its Impact on the Performance of a Urology Department

Authors

  • Hugo Antunes Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • Edgar Tavares-da-Silva Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • Miguel Eliseu Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • Belmiro Parada Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • Maria Cunha Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • António Roseiro Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.
  • Arnaldo Figueiredo Urology and Renal Transplantation Department. Coimbra University Hospital Center. Coimbra.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.9940

Keywords:

Geriatrics, Length of Stay, Palliative Care, Referral and Consultation, Urology

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitals are dealing with patients who may have clinical discharge but cannot return to their home due to non-medical issues.
Material and Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of all the cases referred to the Integrated Care Network during the year 2016. Evaluation of waiting times, typology, reason for referral and clinical parameters. IBM SPSS 24.0 software was used for all statistical
analyses.
Results: In the evaluated period, 2294 patients were discharged from our department. Of these, 55 were referred to Integrated Care Network. The mean length of hospitalization of the patients referred to the network was 20.6 ± 11.4 days, and the mean overall length of hospital stay in the period analyzed was 4.8 ± 0.9 days. The mean time between hospitalization and referral for continuing care was 10.7 ± 7.2 days. The time between referral and discharge of the hospital was 10.0 ± 8.7 days. Thirty-nine (70.9%) patients were hospitalized for oncological diseases. The most common referral was to Palliative Care units (n = 16; 29.1%). Patients referred to Palliative Care units showed the largest waiting times between the referral for the network and the hospital discharge, 12.2 ± 10.51 days. We observed 289 hospitalization days with patients who had no need of specialized urological care.
Discussion: In order to reduce time between referral to the network and hospital discharge, there is a need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among doctors, nurses and social workers.
Conclusion: Early identification by physicians and nurses of patients who will require care after discharge will provide a better response from social workers and increased hospital performance.

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Published

2018-11-30

How to Cite

1.
Antunes H, Tavares-da-Silva E, Eliseu M, Parada B, Cunha M, Roseiro A, Figueiredo A. Supportive Care Network: Evaluation of Its Impact on the Performance of a Urology Department. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2018 Nov. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 14];31(11):656-60. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/9940

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Section

Original