<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_001"><h3>Objective</h3><p>To assess the feasibility of service integration for neurological care.</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_002"><h3>Design</h3><p>Observation study</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_003"><h3>Participants</h3><p>A total of 104 admissions for 92 neurological patients treated in a major region hospital and suitable for discharge home were eligible for participation.</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_004"><h3>Intervention</h3><p>A neurological integrated care pathway (NICP) was trialled at a major regional hospital between July 2012 and June 2013. Objective data included patients, gender, age, diagnosis, length of hospital stay, referral dates, discharge dates, dates when patients were seen by the community neurological liaison nurse, and readmissions were collated for analyses.</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_005"><h3>Outcome measures</h3><p>Targeted outcomes included the estimated service impact on the hospital in terms of reduced length of hospital stay and decreased readmissions and increased referral rate to community neurological support service, and quality of patient care.</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_006"><h3>Results</h3><p>The trial saw an increase in efficiency and standard of care despite growth in patient numbers. The CNLN attended to 104 recorded referrals (more than 17 times the number of referrals in 2011), all within 7 days of their referral date (a 77.4% decrease compared to 2011 where patients were attended to up to 31 days). In addition, the average length of hospital stay had decreased significantly from 26 days in 2011 to 9 days (a 65.4% decrease) with a low rate of re-admission (approximately 11.5%).</p></sec><sec id="j_ajon-2017-125_s_007"><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The NICP improved service efficiency for both the hospital system and the community neurological support service, with high levels of patient satisfaction. In this case the NICP achieved best value from existing resources and provided a viable model of service delivery for chronic neurological conditions.</p></sec></abstract>

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of service integration for neurological care.DesignObservation studyParticipantsA total of 104 admissions for 92 neurological patients treated in a major region hospital and suitable for discharge home were eligible for participation.InterventionA neurological integrated care pathway (NICP) was trialled at a major regional hospital between July 2012 and June 2013. Objective data included patients, gender, age, diagnosis, length of hospital stay, referral dates, discharge dates, dates when patients were seen by the community neurological liaison nurse, and readmissions were collated for analyses.Outcome measuresTargeted outcomes included the estimated service impact on the hospital in terms of reduced length of hospital stay and decreased readmissions and increased referral rate to community neurological support service, and quality of patient care.ResultsThe trial saw an increase in efficiency and standard of care despite growth in patient numbers. The CNLN attended to 104 recorded referrals (more than 17 times the number of referrals in 2011), all within 7 days of their referral date (a 77.4% decrease compared to 2011 where patients were attended to up to 31 days). In addition, the average length of hospital stay had decreased significantly from 26 days in 2011 to 9 days (a 65.4% decrease) with a low rate of re-admission (approximately 11.5%).ConclusionThe NICP improved service efficiency for both the hospital system and the community neurological support service, with high levels of patient satisfaction. In this case the NICP achieved best value from existing resources and provided a viable model of service delivery for chronic neurological conditions.

A Neurological Integrated Care Pathway

Australasian Journal of Neuroscience

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"A Neurological Integrated Care Pathway"}

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of service integration for neurological care.DesignObservation studyParticipantsA total of 104 admissions for 92...

A Neurological Integrated Care Pathway

Published Online: Jan 25, 2018

Page range: 38 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/ajon-2017-125

Keywords
integrated care pathway, community neurological support

© 2016 Kathleen McCoy et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

A Neurological Integrated Care Pathway

Published Online: Jan 25, 2018

Page range: 38 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/ajon-2017-125

Keywordsintegrated care pathway, community neurological support

© 2016 Kathleen McCoy et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
integrated care pathway, community neurological support