Key result
Physical therapy participation in care transitions for older adults is proposed as a strategy to address functional deficits and reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions.
Why the study?
Does physical therapy participation in care transitions reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions in older adults?
Does physical therapy participation in care transitions reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions in older adults?
Integrating physical therapy into care transition models for older adults may help address functional deficits and reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions.
Hospital readmissions in older adult populations are an emerging quality indicator for acute care hospitals. Recent evidence has linked functional decline during and after hospitalization with an elevated risk of hospital readmission. However, models of care that have been developed to reduce hospital readmission rates do not adequately address functional deficits. Physical therapists, as experts in optimizing physical function, have a strong opportunity to contribute meaningfully to care transition models and demonstrate the value of physical therapy interventions in reducing readmissions. Thus, the purposes of this perspective article are: (1) to describe the need for physical therapist input during care transitions for older adults and (2) to outline strategies for expanding physical therapy participation in care transitions for older adults, with an overall goal of reducing avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions.
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Simpson et al. (2012) conducted a review in Hospital readmissions in older adults. Physical therapy was evaluated. Physical therapy participation in care transitions for older adults is proposed as a strategy to address functional deficits and reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions.
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