Transitions of care for hospital discharges in a primary care network.

Transitions to and from primary care are a time of concern, especially for patients with chronic conditions and complex care needs. The Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (ESPCN) developed a process for nurses to ensure timely post-discharge follow-up calls and physician appointments after hospitalization, assessing readmission risk with LACE and Clinical Frailty scores. Over 84% of eligible high-risk discharges received follow-up within 14 days. Of 7,400 index discharges, 1,464 had an emergency department revisit and 725 patients were readmitted within 30 days. Overall, ESPCN rates of readmission (9.8%) and rates of Family Practice Sensitive Conditions (FPSC) (5.7%) were significantly lower than national and provincial rates. FPSC rates for high-risk patients were significantly lower than low- or medium-risk groups. Consistent processes that support nursing involvement enable primary care teams to focus on those with highest risk for adverse outcomes and support patients to access the most appropriate place for the care they need.

A primary care medical home approach to pulmonary rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an evidence-based, nonpharmacological intervention aimed to improve quality of life for patients living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Unfortunately, in Canada, most PR programs are hospital based and these are few in number; therefore, accessibility to PR programs is limited. METHODS: The Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network implemented an evidence-based PR program within the setting of the patient's medical home. RESULTS: Post-program evaluation demonstrated improvement in 6-minute walk distance, lower body strength, COPD health status, and quality of life, as well as a reduction in emergency department visits 1 year after program completion. CONCLUSION: The results conclude that delivery of a PR program in a primary care setting is effective and can help address the issue of accessibility.

Connection Through Calls: The Impact of a Seniors Center Without Walls on Older Adults' Social Isolation and Loneliness.

The Edmonton Seniors Centre Without Walls program provides free health, psychosocial, and educational telephone programming for older adults who experience multiple barriers to traditional in-person programming. The aim of this program evaluation was to assess outcomes of participation using validated scales of loneliness and psychosocial and health quality of life. Telephone interviews were conducted pre (n = 160) and post (n = 99) with participants. Given the variation in average attendance, results were assessed by level of participation: Low, Moderate, and High Users. There was statistically significant improvement in all participants' attitudes towards their self-realization and towards energy levels, and EQ-5D-5L anxiety/depression scale after participation, along with a significant reduction in feelings of social isolation. The highest rates of improvement were seen within High Users. These findings suggest that telephone-based programs could be a useful intervention to improve the wellbeing and socially connectedness of older adults.