Aim: Compare within site effects of three interventions designed to enhance outcomes of hospitalized cognitively impaired elders.
Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, confirmatory phased study. In Phase I, 183 patients received one of three interventions: augmented standard care (ASC), resource nurse care (RNC) or Transitional Care Model (TCM). In Phase II, 205 patients received the TCM.
Results: Time to first rehospitalization or death was longer for the TCM versus ASC group (p = 0.017). Rates for total all-cause rehospitalizations and days were significantly reduced in the TCM versus ASC group (p < 0.001, both). No differences were observed between RNC versus TCM.
Conclusion: Findings suggest the TCM is more effective than ASC. However, potential effects of the RNC relative to the TCM warrant further study.
Keywords: cognitive impairment; dementia; evidence-based interventions; rehospitalizations.