Key result
The 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility agreement facilitated cross-sectoral communication and improved discharge documentation, but did not reduce the overall 30-day readmission rate of 24%.
Why the study?
Transitions between healthcare sectors in Denmark are susceptible to disruption due to inadequate cross-sectoral collaboration, motivating implementation of a 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility post-discharge agreement.
Does a 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility agreement post-discharge improve cross-sectoral collaboration and reduce readmissions in patients discharged to municipal nursing care?
Observational
Yes
Does a 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility agreement post-discharge improve cross-sectoral collaboration and reduce readmissions in patients discharged to municipal nursing care?
A 72-hour post-discharge hospital responsibility agreement improves cross-sectoral communication and medication documentation, though it does not significantly reduce overall 30-day readmission rates in a frail population.
Hypothesis-generating for 72-hour post-discharge responsibility; prospective trials needed before practice change.
Background: The increasing prevalence of individuals living with chronic conditions and multi-morbidity presents challenges to healthcare systems and coordination of coherent patient pathways. In Denmark, transitions between healthcare sectors are susceptible to disruption due to inadequate cross-sectoral collaboration. To improve continuity of care and cross-sectoral collaboration, an agreement of 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility post-discharge was implemented. Methods: We used data from a questionnaire survey for healthcare professionals, data from electronic patient records, and data from cross-sectoral medical record audits to evaluate outcomes of the implementation of the agreement. Results: Survey data suggested that the agreement may enhance cross-sectoral collaboration by improving communication and understanding of other sectors, with municipal healthcare professionals perceiving these benefits more strongly. Data from electronic patient records indicated increased attention to discharge documentation. Medical record audits suggest that the agreement may be supportive where medication-related uncertainties necessitated clarification. Conclusion: The evaluation shows that the agreement can facilitate cross-sectoral communication, in some cases may improve treatment quality and safety and may support safer transitions from hospital to municipal care. The agreement does not reduce readmissions among the target group in general; however, it might facilitate avoidance of unnecessary readmissions in cases where cross-sectoral dialogue is sufficient.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Harder et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Patients discharged to municipal nursing care. 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility agreement was evaluated on Cross-sectoral collaboration, treatment quality, and hospital readmissions. The 72-hour hospital treatment responsibility agreement facilitated cross-sectoral communication and improved discharge documentation, but did not reduce the overall 30-day readmission rate of 24%.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: