Effectiveness of Inpatient Follow-up Care

The course of 403 patients discharged consecutively from the medical service of a teaching hospital was studied to determine their medical care after hospitalization and to evaluate its quality.

Abstract

Abstract The course of 403 patients discharged consecutively from the medical service of a teaching hospital was studied to determine their medical care after hospitalization and to evaluate its effectiveness. Data were obtained from review of available charts and interviews six months after discharge of 341 of the 363 patients then alive. Of the 403 patients 30 per cent received medical care rated inadequate. Process data indicated frequent use of independent physician services without communication of hospital records. Outcome data indicated that 46 per cent of the patients experienced decreased functional capacity. Forty patients had died; of those alive and interviewed, 27 per cent experienced no change or an increase in symptoms, 37 per cent experienced a decrease in ability to perform their major activity, and 30 per cent had impaired ambulatory function. For 39 patients, decreased quality of outcome was judged to be due to inadequate medical care.