Assessment of the“Post-Acute Care Discharge Scores”(PACD) [Translated from the Original Article in German Published in Pflegewissenschaft 2015; 11: 582-95]

Abstract

A systematic and early biopsychosocial assessment of older patients in acute care hospitals is necessary for a proactive and effective discharge plan in order to identify patients at risk for a care deficit after hospitalization. Our study aim was to adapt the, “Post Acute Care Discharge“ (PACD) Scores developed in Geneva for use in the Cantonal Hospital of Aarau and evaluate as screening instruments in selected medical patients in a medical university clinic. Among 308 patients admitted from home with urinary tract infections, falls, syncope or heart failure day 1 PACD ≥ 8 had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 62% and day 3 PACD ≥ 8 a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 60% to identify a nursing care deficit. The PACD is used as a screening instrument to identify patients at risk and therefore facilitate a structured, interdisciplinary and patient-centered analysis of the situation and discharge plan.