Key result
Nurse-led follow-up links to more ED revisits but fewer hospitalizations when paired with PCP visits.
Why the study?
It was unknown whether nurse-led follow-up calls after emergency department discharge reduce 30-day revisits and hospital admissions among older adults.
Do nurse-led follow-up calls reduce 30-day ED revisits and hospital admissions in older adults discharged from the ED?
Observational (n=2,381)
Yes
Do nurse-led follow-up calls reduce 30-day ED revisits and hospital admissions in older adults discharged from the ED?
Nurse-led follow-up calls combined with primary care provider visits are associated with decreased 30-day hospitalizations in older adults following ED discharge.
Supports integrating nurse-led post-discharge outreach into geriatric care models; leaves open whether this retrospective association.
PURPOSE: To evaluate whether nurse-led follow-up calls after emergency department (ED) discharge were associated with decreased 30-day ED revisits and hospital admissions among older adults in two geriatric practices. METHOD: The current retrospective quality improvement evaluation was conducted from April 2023 to March 2025. RNs called individuals aged ≥65 years within 5 business days of ED discharge to review instructions, assess symptoms, and support primary care provider (PCP) follow up. Outcomes were 30-day ED revisits and hospital admissions. Logistic regression assessed associations between a 5-day nurse call, a 14-day PCP visit, and combined. RESULTS: Of 2,381 patients, 42.4% received a nurse call and 47.8% completed a PCP visit. Within 30 days, 13.1% revisited the ED and 10.4% were hospitalized. Nurse calls were associated with higher odds of ED revisits, but combined calls and PCP visits were associated with decreased 30-day hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led calls were feasible and may strengthen ED-to-home transitions in older adults.
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Romanelli et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Emergency department discharge (n=2,381). Nurse-led follow-up calls vs. No nurse-led follow-up call was evaluated on 30-day ED revisits and hospital admissions. Nurse-led follow-up calls were associated with higher odds of 30-day ED revisits (overall rate 13.1%) among 2,381 older adults, but combined with PCP visits decreased 30-day hospitalizations.
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