Effectiveness of Synchronous Postdischarge Contacts on Health Care Use and Patient Satisfaction

BACKGROUND: Postdischarge contacts (PDCs) after hospitalization are common practice, but their effectiveness in reducing use of acute care after discharge remains unclear. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of PDC on 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, 30-day hospital readmissions, and patient satisfaction. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL searched from 2012 to 25 May 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized and nonrandomized trials of PDC within 7 days. DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators independently screened articles and assessed risk of bias (ROB). Single reviewers extracted data, with verification by second investigators. Random-effects meta-analyses were done on outcomes shared by at least 3 studies, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) framework. DATA SYNTHESIS: = 10) consisted of single telephone contacts, often within 3 days. Eight studies focused on patients identified as higher-risk by the authors. There were no differences in 30-day ED use (5 RTs; 3054 patients; risk difference, 0.00 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0.03]; moderate certainty) or 30-day hospital readmissions (7 RTs; 7075 patients; risk difference, 0.00 [CI, -0.02 to 0.02]; moderate certainty) with PDC. LIMITATION: Adherence and fidelity to PDC interventions were poorly described, and only 1 study investigated nontelephone PDC. CONCLUSION: Postdischarge contacts within 7 days of discharge were not associated with reductions in 30-day ED use or readmissions compared with usual care. Health systems should reconsider the utility of universal PDCs because multifaceted interventions targeting higher-risk patients may be necessary to reduce use of acute care after discharge. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Department of Veterans Affairs. (PROSPERO: CRD42023465675).