Transitional Care Model in Germany: Findings from an economic analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The statutory discharge management system in German hospitals does not provide adequate transitional care for geriatric patients. The American Transitional Care Model (TCM), where a qualified professional supports the patient for a period before, during, and after discharge, could help to address this problem. In this study, we compared both approaches from an economic perspective. Our research questions were: (1) How do treatment costs per person differ when geriatric patients are supported according to the TCM compared with routine discharge management? (2) What are the intervention costs?
METHODS
The present economic analysis was part of a randomized controlled trial conducted at a hospital in Germany. In this study, geriatric patients in the intervention group received care according to TCM and those in the control group received routine care. We obtained data from the hospital and a health insurance company. In a cost-cost analysis, we compared the treatment costs per patient incurred in both study groups. In cases where higher costs occurred in the intervention group, we also conducted a cost-utility analysis, using the 12-Item Short Form Survey questionnaire to collect quality-of-life data for the Quality Adjusted Life Years calculation. Intervention costs were calculated on the basis of staff salaries, working hours, and the cost of acquiring the necessary equipment.
RESULTS
The intervention group consisted of 109 geriatric patients, the control group of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 109 participants or records.
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