Mobile integrated health to reduce post-discharge acute care visits: A pilot study

Background

Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) leverages specially trained paramedics outside of emergency response to bridge gaps in local health care delivery.

Study objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a MIH led transitional care strategy to reduce acute care utilization.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of a quality improvement pilot of patients from an urban, single county EMS, MIH transitional care initiative. We utilized a paramedic/social worker (or social care coordinator) dyad to provide in home assessments, medication review, care coordination, and improve access to care. The primary outcome compared acute care utilization (ED visits, observation stays, inpatient visits) 90 days before MIH intervention to 90 days after.

Results

Of the 203 patients seen by MIH teams, inpatient utilization decreased significantly from 140 hospitalizations pre-MIH to 26 post-MIH (83% reduction, p = 0.00). ED and observation stays, however, increased numerically, but neither was significant. (ED 18 to 19 stays, p = 0.98; observation stays 95 to 106, p = 0.30) Primary care visits increased 15% (p = 0.11).

Conclusion

In this pilot before/after study, MIH significantly reduces acute care hospitalizations.