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Abstract

Background

Care transitions are frequent among patients with dementia. This study aimed to estimate the impact of continuity of care (COC) on successful community discharge after hospitalization.

Methods

National Veterans Health Administration data linked to Medicare claims in fiscal years 2014–2015. Community-dwelling older veterans with dementia with an acute hospitalization were included (n = 31,648). COC was measured by the Bice-Boxerman Continuity of Care (BBC) index (0–1). Association of COC before hospitalization on successful community discharge was examined separately among veterans discharged to the community directly and through post-acute care facilities.

Results

Veterans with a 0.1 higher BBC were 4.6% (p = .06) more likely to have successful direct community discharge; but BBC had no demonstrable effect when discharge was through post-acute care facilities.

Conclusion

Better COC may have impact at improving successful direct community discharge, although the effect is small and the type I error rate (statistical significance) was 6%.

Keywords

dementia continuity of care successful hospital discharge care transitions VA healthcare system

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Continuity of Care and Successful Hospital Discharge of Older Veterans With Dementia

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keywords

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References

Supplementary Material