SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of a Post-Discharge Call on Care Utilization During Covid-19

Pdf Summary

This retrospective study examined whether post-discharge phone calls affected 30-day health care use among 3,555 adult patients discharged home without skilled services from three academic hospitals in Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic (Dec 2020–Jul 2022).<br /><br />The main outcomes were 30-day readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and observation status. Researchers compared patients who received a phone call with those who did not, using logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and clinical/system factors such as age, sex, race, payor, length of stay, and comorbidity burden.<br /><br />Key findings:<br />- Phone calls were associated with a significant reduction in 30-day observation status.<br />  - Adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.60, 95% CI 0.46–0.79<br />- Phone calls were not significantly associated with:<br />  - 30-day ED visits after adjustment (adjusted OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82–1.17)<br />  - 30-day readmissions after adjustment (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.68–1.17)<br /><br />In the overall sample, patients who received calls tended to be older and more likely to be female, but readmission rates were similar between the call and no-call groups. Observation status occurred less often among patients who received calls.<br /><br />Conclusion: During the pandemic, post-discharge phone calls were linked to lower 30-day observation use, an important finding because observation and other post-acute care utilization have been rising over time. The study suggests that phone follow-up may help reduce certain forms of post-discharge care utilization, even if it does not clearly lower readmissions or ED visits.

Asset Subtitle

Yiran (Emily) Peng

Meta Tag

Author List Amteshwar Singh, Amy Yu, Daniel J. Brotman, Diane Lepley, Erik Hoyer, Flora Kisuule, Melissa Richardson, Sean Tackett, Shaker Eid, Yiran (Emily) Peng

Category Research

Concept Post-Discharge Phone Call

Concept 30-Day Readmission

Concept Post-Acute Care Utilization

Concept Observation Status

Concept Emergency Department Visits

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Presenting Author Yiran (Emily) Peng

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

post-discharge phone calls

30-day observation status

readmissions

emergency department visits

retrospective study

COVID-19 pandemic

hospital discharge

health care utilization

logistic regression

academic hospitals

Post-Discharge Phone Call

30-Day Readmission

Post-Acute Care Utilization

Observation Status

Emergency Department Visits