Optimal: Effectiveness of discharge advocate to reduce readmission
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimal: Optimisation of Discharge mechanism for the prevention of unnecessary readmissions
IRAS ID
223682
Contact name
John Chang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry 1516, Research registry
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This project is to evaluate whether a patient discharge advocate can reduce readmission rates. Previous work with patient discharge advocates have been favourable in regards to improved patient experience. However, they have not quantified whether the patient readmission rates were affected or not. The aim of this study therefore is to establish whether the patient discharge advocate can reduce readmission rates by the simple process of checking that the patient is fully optimised at the point of the discharge process, then later touching bases with the patient post discharge to make sure the patient remains well. If they are not and are deteriorating, signpost the patient back into the services that already exists with the aim of preventing a readmission.
There will be a monitoring committee of clinical staff to review the process of recruitment and referral patterns to ensure that there is no seepage of excessive work to other specialities that could cause issues to them. This committee would review the referral data every 3 months.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0603
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion