Developing a specialist-nurse-led 'COPD in-reach service'.

AIM: To develop and implement a respiratory clinical-nurse-specialist-led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 'in-reach service' for an emergency admission unit within a large acute county hospital. METHOD: Data collected during the service development were compared with existing data when no COPD in-reach service was available. Data were compared on average length of stay, readmission rates, 'early assisted discharge' and patient experience. FINDINGS: The COPD in-reach service reduced average length of stay for COPD patients by 2.53 days and readmission rates were reduced by an average of 4.5 per month; 17% of patients were discharged on an early assisted discharge scheme, and overall patients felt more prepared and ready for discharge. CONCLUSION: The COPD in-reach service has been proven to be of great benefit both financially and in terms of patient experience.

Informal caregiver strain, preference and satisfaction in hospital-at-home and usual hospital care for COPD exacerbations: results of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers play an important role in hospital-at-home schemes. However they may increase their burden, especially chronic diseases, like COPD. In the absence of clear differences in effectiveness and cost-effectiveness between hospital-at-home and usual hospital care, informal caregiver preferences play an important role. This study investigated informal caregiver strain, satisfaction and preferences for place of treatment with a community-based hospital-at-homes scheme for COPD exacerbations. METHOD: The study was part of a larger randomised controlled trial. By randomisation, patients were allocated to usual hospital care or hospital-at-home, which included discharge at day 4 of admission, followed by home treatment with homes visits by community nurses until day 7 of treatment. Patients allocated to usual hospital care received care as usual in the hospital and were discharged at day 7. Patients were asked if they had an informal caregiver and who this was. Patients and their caregivers were followed for 90 days. Informal caregiver strain was assessed with the caregiver strain index. Satisfaction and preference were assessed using questionnaires. All measurements were performed at the end of the 7-day treatment and the end of the 90-days follow-up. FINDINGS: Of the 139 patients, 124 had an informal caregiver, of whom three-quarter was the patients' spouse. There was no significant difference in caregiver strain between hospital-at-home and usual hospital care at both time points (mean difference at T+4 days 0.47 95% CI -0.96 to 1.91, p=0.514; mean difference at T+90 days 0.36 95% CI -1.85 to 1.35, p=0.634). At the end of the 7-day treatment, 33% (N=15) of caregivers of patients allocated to hospital treatment and 71% (N=37) of caregivers of patients allocated to home treatment preferred home treatment, if they could choose. Caregivers were satisfied with the treatment the patient received within hospital-at-home. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in caregiver strain between the community-based hospital-at-home scheme and usual hospital care. Most caregivers were satisfied with the treatment. In addition to other outcomes, our results support the wider implementation of hospital-at-home for COPD exacerbations.

Patient preference and satisfaction in hospital-at-home and usual hospital care for COPD exacerbations: results of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of clear differences in effectiveness and cost-effectiveness between hospital-at-home schemes and usual hospital care, patient preference plays an important role. This study investigates patient preference for treatment place, associated factors and patient satisfaction with a community-based hospital-at-home scheme for COPD exacerbations. METHODS: The study is part of a larger randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomised to usual hospital care or early assisted discharge which incorporated discharge at day 4 and visits by a home care nurse until day 7 of treatment (T+4 days). The hospital care group received care as usual and was discharged from hospital at day 7. Patients were followed for 90 days (T+90 days). Patient preference for treatment place and patient satisfaction (overall and per item) were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively using questionnaires at T+4 days and T+90 days. Factors associated with patient preference were analysed in the early assisted discharge group. RESULTS: 139 patients were randomised. No difference was found in overall satisfaction. At T+4 days, patients in the early assisted discharge group were less satisfied with care at night and were less able to resume normal daily activities. At T+90 days there were no differences for the separate items. Patient preference for home treatment at T+4 days was 42% in the hospital care group and 86% in the early assisted discharge group and 35% and 59% at T+90 days. Patients' mental state was associated with preference. CONCLUSION: Results support the wider implementation of early assisted discharge for COPD exacerbations and this treatment option should be offered to selected patients that prefer home treatment.

O fenômeno da reinternação: um desafio à Reforma Psiquiátrica

O fenômeno da reinternação em hospital psiquiátrico, conhecido na literatura como "revolving door", é de altíssima incidência na maioria das instituições, indicando a relevância de conhecer suas causas e pensar estratégias que o evitem. Objetivou-se avaliar as reinternações no Hospital Dr. João Machado (HJM), em Natal, RN, bem como identificar os efeitos da proposta de alta assistida desse hospital. Realizaram-se leituras dos prontuários de usuários que passaram pela alta assistida do HJM e entrevistas abertas com profissionais, além de uma revisão bibliográfica acerca da reinternação psiquiátrica, a fim de elucidar o que a literatura tem encontrado. Constatou-se que o projeto enfrenta alguns entraves e que a estratégia de dar assistência após a alta hospitalar, garantindo uma atenção continuada e inserida no meio social e familiar, é fundamental na tentativa de evitar a reinternação.(AU)

The phenomenon of rehospitalization in a psychiatric hospital, known in the literature as "revolving door", has a high incidence in the majority of the institutions. Knowing the causes of that phenomenon and thinking about strategies to enable its rupture are pertinent worries. On this path, the present research was developed, seeking to evaluate the "revolving door" on a psychiatric hospital - the Dr. João Machado Hospital (HJM), in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil - and the effects of the proposal of a assisted discharge in this hospital. The handbook of the patients who were submitted to the assisted discharge was read and interviews with professionals were carried out. In addition, it was made a literature review about the psychiatric rehospitalization to elucidate what the literature has found. In the end, it was possible to detect problems that evolve this follow-up and it was verified that the strategy of assisting the patient on the after-discharge, giving him/her appropriate and continuing attention in the social and familiar environment is fundamental to avoid the "revolving door".(AU)

O fenômeno da reinternação: um desafio à reforma psiquiátrica / The phenomenon of "revolving door": a challenge to the psychiatric reform

O fenômeno da reinternação em hospital psiquiátrico, conhecido na literatura como "revolving door", é de altíssima incidência na maioria das instituições, indicando a relevância de conhecer suas causas e pensar estratégias que o evitem. Objetivou-se avaliar as reinternações no Hospital Dr. João Machado (HJM), em Natal, RN, bem como identificar os efeitos da proposta de alta assistida desse hospital. Realizaram-se leituras dos prontuários de usuários que passaram pela alta assistida do HJM e entrevistas abertas com profissionais, além de uma revisão bibliográfica acerca da reinternação psiquiátrica, a fim de elucidar o que a literatura tem encontrado. Constatou-se que o projeto enfrenta alguns entraves e que a estratégia de dar assistência após a alta hospitalar, garantindo uma atenção continuada e inserida no meio social e familiar, é fundamental na tentativa de evitar a reinternação.

The phenomenon of rehospitalization in a psychiatric hospital, known in the literature as "revolving door", has a high incidence in the majority of the institutions. Knowing the causes of that phenomenon and thinking about strategies to enable its rupture are pertinent worries. On this path, the present research was developed, seeking to evaluate the "revolving door" on a psychiatric hospital - the Dr. João Machado Hospital (HJM), in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil - and the effects of the proposal of a assisted discharge in this hospital. The handbook of the patients who were submitted to the assisted discharge was read and interviews with professionals were carried out. In addition, it was made a literature review about the psychiatric rehospitalization to elucidate what the literature has found. In the end, it was possible to detect problems that evolve this follow-up and it was verified that the strategy of assisting the patient on the after-discharge, giving him/her appropriate and continuing attention in the social and familiar environment is fundamental to avoid the "revolving door".

El P.R.E.A., una experiencia alternativa a las lógicas manicomiales / P.R.E.A. (Rehabilitation and assisted outpatient care program): an alternate experience to the Asylum logic

El propósito del siguiente escrito es dar a conocer el trabajo realizado desde hace ya 9 años en el Programa de Rehabilitación y Externación Asistida (P.R.E.A.) en el Hospital ¶Estevez", de Temperley, Provincia de Buenos Aires. Se intenta dar cuenta del contexto histórico-político que dio origen al surgimiento de este programa, así como de las distintas actividades que el mismo realiza a través de sus dispositivos para lograr el objetivo primordial del P.R.E.A.: la externación y reinserción social de personé con años de internación, cronificadas en la institución neuropsiquiátrica. Es el relato de una experiencia que, junto con otras ya consolidadas en nuestro país y en el mundo, demuestran a las claras que existen alternativas prácticas y sustentables a la manicomialización y al encierro en el tratamiento del padecimiento mental severo y la cronicidad. Y que eso es posible en las condiciones concretas de nuestra provincia y nuestro sistema público de salud.(AU)

The purpose of the following article is show the work that has been going on for the past nine years in the Assisted Discharge and Rehabilitation Program (PREA, from its Spanish initials), at the Estevez Hospital, Temperley, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our aim is to describe the historical and political context that gave rise to this program as well as the different activities carried out through its mechanisms to achieve the programs main objective: institutional discharge and resocialization of long-term patients with high chronicity in the psychiatric facility. This is the account of an experiment which, together with other similar ones already carried out in our country and elsewhere in the world, proves clearly that there are practical al sustainable alternatives to institutionalization and confinement for the treatment of serious mental disorders and chronicity and that this is feasible within our provinces current situation and our public health system.(AU)

El P.R.E.A., una experiencia alternativa a las lógicas manicomiales / P.R.E.A. (Rehabilitation and assisted outpatient care program): an alternate experience to the Asylum logic

El propósito del siguiente escrito es dar a conocer el trabajo realizado desde hace ya 9 años en el Programa de Rehabilitación y Externación Asistida (P.R.E.A.) en el Hospital “Estevez", de Temperley, Provincia de Buenos Aires. Se intenta dar cuenta del contexto histórico-político que dio origen al surgimiento de este programa, así como de las distintas actividades que el mismo realiza a través de sus dispositivos para lograr el objetivo primordial del P.R.E.A.: la externación y reinserción social de personé con años de internación, cronificadas en la institución neuropsiquiátrica. Es el relato de una experiencia que, junto con otras ya consolidadas en nuestro país y en el mundo, demuestran a las claras que existen alternativas prácticas y sustentables a la manicomialización y al encierro en el tratamiento del padecimiento mental severo y la cronicidad. Y que eso es posible en las condiciones concretas de nuestra provincia y nuestro sistema público de salud.

The purpose of the following article is show the work that has been going on for the past nine years in the Assisted Discharge and Rehabilitation Program (PREA, from its Spanish initials), at the Estevez Hospital, Temperley, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our aim is to describe the historical and political context that gave rise to this program as well as the different activities carried out through its mechanisms to achieve the program's main objective: institutional discharge and resocialization of long-term patients with high chronicity in the psychiatric facility. This is the account of an experiment which, together with other similar ones already carried out in our country and elsewhere in the world, proves clearly that there are practical al sustainable alternatives to institutionalization and confinement for the treatment of serious mental disorders and chronicity and that this is feasible within our province's current situation and our public health system.

Alta-Assistida de usuários de um hospital psiquiátrico: uma proposta em análise / Assisted-Discharge of users of a psychiatric hospital: a proposal under review

Um dos obstáculos atuais à Reforma Psiquiátrica é a ausência de uma rede assistencial ágil, flexível e resolutiva. A proposta de saída dos usuários do hospital de forma planejada e assistida é uma estratégia fundamental no processo de desinstitucionalização, no sentido de evitar o tão acentuado fenômeno da reinternação. Tal situação está relacionada à falta de uma rede de atenção extra-hospitalar, bem como de suporte e acompanhamento do usuário por parte da equipe técnica em parceria com as famílias. Com base nisso, realizou-se uma investigação em um hospital psiquiátrico do município de Natal, visando a avaliar o processo de implantação e o funcionamento do Projeto de Alta-Assistida atualmente em curso nessa instituição. Este trabalho objetiva discutir os resultados dessa investigação.

One of the current obstacles to the psychiatric reform is the absence of an agile, flexible and problem-solving welfare network. The proposed removal of users from the hospital in a planned and assisted is a key strategy in the process of deinstitutionalization, in order to avoid the phenomenon of so marked rehospitalization. This situation is related to the lack of a network of care outside hospitals, as well as supporting and monitoring of the user by the technical team in partnership with families. On this basis, there was an investigation into a psychiatric hospital in the city of Natal, to evaluate the process of deployment and operation of the Project for Assisted Discharge currently in progress at that institution. This work discusses the results of this research.

Acompanhamento terapêutico na proposta de alta-assistida implementada em hospital psiquiátrico: relato de uma experiência / Therapeutic accompaniment in the proposal of assisted discharge implemented in a psychiatric hospitalreport of an experience

A Alta-Assistida/AA e o Acompanhamento Terapêutico/AT são práticas que se inserem no contexto atual da atenção à saúde mental em concordância com as diretrizes que norteiam a Reforma Psiquiátrica. Atualmente, vive-se o desafio da reintegração social de sujeitos portadores de transtornos mentais, uma vez que ainda não se dispõe de uma rede ágil, flexível e resolutiva para atendê-los. A proposta de uma saída do hospital planejada e assistida é, pois, uma estratégia fundamental no processo de desinstitucionalização. Este trabalho objetiva apresentar uma experiência de AT realizada junto a um paciente do Hospital Dr. João Machado, em Natal, e discutir os efeitos e resultados desta forma de atenção na proposta de alta-assistida aí implementada.

Assisted Discharge/AD and Therapeutic Accompaniment/TA are practices that are inserted in the present context of attention to mental health in accordance with the directives that guide Psychiatric Reforms. Nowadays, people with a mental upset live the challenge of social reintegration, since there isn't available a flexible, agile and firm network capable of helping them. The proposal of a planned and watched exit of the hospital is, therefore, a primary strategy in the process of de-institutionalization. This work intends to present an experience of TA carried out with a patient from the Dr. João Machado Hospital, in the city of Natal, and discuss the effects and results of this form of attention in the proposal of assisted discharge that was applied.