Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
January 2017
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Mark A. Lumley
Abstract
Background: The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have mandated reducing early hospital readmissions (i.e., within 30 days of discharge) to both improve patient care and reduce expenses. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have relatively high early readmission rates, due in part to their complex medical regimens but also cognitive impairment, health literacy problems, and lack of social support. We developed a brief family consultation intervention to address these problems and tested its ability to reduce early readmissions among patients with ESRD.
Method: 120 hospitalized adults with ESRD (M age = 57.5 years; 50% male; 86% Black, 12% White) were recruited from an urban, inpatient nephrology unit. Patients were randomized to family consultation (FC; n = 60) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) control (n = 60) conditions. Family consultations, conducted either bedside or via telephone, were conducted with 57 of the 60 assigned patients and covered psychoeducation about cognitive and behavioral risk factors for readmission and how to compensate for them. Blinded medical record review was conducted later to determine readmissions within 30 days.
Results: Chi-square tests and logistic regressions tested intervention effects. Per protocol analyses (excluding three FC patients who received no consultation) indicated that FC reduced early readmission (18%) after discharge, compared to TAU (32%; χ = 3.13, p = .039), and reduced any early hospital return visit (emergency department, brief observation, or readmission) compared to TAU (28% vs. 47%; χ = 4.31, p = .019). Intent-to-treat analyses revealed that FC marginally reduced readmission (20%) compared to TAU (32%; χ = 2.13, p = .077), but FC still significantly reduced any hospital visit (32%) compared to TAU (47%; χ = 2.83, p = .046).
Discussion: A brief psychosocial intervention with family members can decrease readmissions in patients with ESRD, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing costs.
Recommended Citation
Jasinski, Matthew James, "Family Consultation To Reduce Early Hospital Readmissions Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial" (2017). Wayne State University Dissertations. 1814.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/1814