Background & Aim: Despite the advancement of medical science, readmission of the heart failure patient remains a serous problem. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continuous care and educational intervention on the rate of readmissions, refers to physician, and health costs in patients discharged from hospital.
Methods & Materials: This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 110 patients were studied. The participants were allocated in two experimental and control groups. Data were gathered using questionnaires. Home visits were carried out in the experimental group during six months. At the end of the intervention, the rate of readmissions, referrals, and health care costs were compared in the two groups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Fisher&aposs exact test, and Chi-square test.
Results: Results indicated that the rate of readmissions (1.65±1.01 vs. 2.74±1.07, respectively), and refers to physicians (2.73±1.24 vs. 3.32±0.94, respectively) were lower in the experiment group than the control group (P<0.05) after the intervention. The average health care cost in the intervention group (2494000±172150 Rials) did not differ significantly with the control group (2736800±167360 Rials) (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the nursing interventions such as home visits are effective in lowering readmissions and refers to physicians in patients with heart failure. It seems that home visits are necessary in promoting the patients health. 

 

Background & Aim: Despite technology development, rate of infants&apos hospitalizations is still high, which endures emotional and economic burden to families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mothers&apos participation in care of preterm infant on readmission rate.

Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial, 100 mothers who had preterm infants (gestational ages: 30-37 weeks) with respiratory distress syndrome were recruited. Samples were selected using continuous random assignment. Collaborative programs for the intervention group were implemented in the form of an information session and presence and participation of mothers in their infants care. One month after discharge, readmission check list was completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and paired t tests.

Results: Results showed that readmission rate was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The average length of stay in hospital was 6.96 in the intervention group and 12.96 in the control group (P<0.00).

Conclusion: Participation of mothers in care of their infants reduced readmission rate.

Background & Aim: Preterm infants are at increased risk for readmission after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Some factors and characteristics of preterm infants have an effect on their readmissions. This study aimed to determine neonatal factors related to preterm infants’ readmissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods & Materials: This correlational study was conducted on a sample of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at three teaching hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Samples were studied using a questionnaire on possible factors and characteristics related to readmission including sex, gestational age, birth weight, multiple birth and length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit after discharge. The infants were also followed for readmission thirty days after discharge. The data were initially analyzed by univariate analysis and then by the logistic regression model.

Results: The results of univariate analysis revealed that the infants readmitted at the time of follow up were significantly more premature and had lower birth weight and a longer initial hospital stay in the neonatal intensive care units (P<0.001). In the logistic regression model, only gestational age and birth weight had a significant statistical association with infants’ readmission (R: 0.805, P=0.001 and odds ratio: 0.998, P=0.001 respectively).

Conclusion: Infants’ gestational age and birth weight were associated with hospital readmission within thirty days after discharge, so that the infants with lower gestational age and birth weight were more likely to be hospitalized again after discharge.