Evaluation of hospital admissions of nursing home residents prior to and during a teaching nursing home project

This study examined frequency of hospital admission for nursing home resident for two 6-month periods, 1 year apart to observe changes following introduction of a Teaching Nursing Home Project (TNH). Hospital admitting diagnosis and length of stay proved comparative data on admissions. The person contacting the physician for hospital admission was identified to determine involvement of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNPs). Trends for residents followed by the Interdisciplinary Team were examined. A noted decrease in frequency of hospital admissions with and increased average daily census was not statistically significant. Hospital length of stay was longer with increasing age in the first period. This trend was reversed the second period. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) initiated the greater number of admission the first period, and the Register Nurse (RN) and Medical Doctor (MD) initiated more the second period. Team resident were older than the sample, and had longer hospitalizations the second period, with admission initiated by GNP.