Assessing the Impact of an Integrated Community Care Program on Unplanned Hospital and Emergency Department Representations: Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Community Care Program, which was the amalgamation of three outreach services—post-acute care, Residential In-Reach, and the Hospital Admission Risk Program—into a single integrated care model. Specifically, we assessed its effects on unplanned hospital readmissions and emergency department re-presentations at 30-, 60- and 90-days post-enrolment.

Methods

A pragmatic, real-world, population-based observational study was conducted using an interrupted time series analysis. The study included 4708 adult patients across two periods: pre-amalgamation (November 2014–October 2016), and post-amalgamation (May 2017–October 2018). Data were sourced from the National Centre for Healthy Ageing Data Platform, with statistical analyses conducted using Generalised Least Squares models to account for autocorrelation.

Results

The study observed a significant increase in quarterly program enrolments post-amalgamation, from 578 to 1011 per quarter. The 30-day readmission rate decreased from 11.8% to 8.52% post-amalgamation. However, interrupted time series analysis revealed no statistically significant changes in the slopes of readmission and emergency department re-presentation rates after the program's amalgamation. The program did not result in significant changes in 60- or 90-day outcomes.

Conclusions

The amalgamation of post-acute care, Residential In-Reach, and the Hospital Admission Risk Program into the Community Care Program led to increased service utilisation without a significant impact on reducing unplanned hospital readmissions or emergency department re-presentations. Although the program amalgamation demonstrated improved accessibility, its longer-term impact remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for continuous refinement and further evaluation to optimise system efficiency. No patient or public contribution occurred in this study.

Reporting Method

This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines for observational research.