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Association between continuity of nursing care and older adults' hospitalization outcomes: A retrospective observational study
Author(s) -
Tonkikh Orly,
Zisberg Anna,
Shadmi Efrat
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13031
Subject(s) - medicine , observational study , nursing management , odds ratio , odds , logistic regression , acute care , continuity of care , retrospective cohort study , nursing care , nursing interventions classification , psychological intervention , multivariate analysis , nursing , health care , economics , economic growth
Aim To assess the relationship between continuity in nursing assignment in older adults' acute hospitalization and patient experience and functional decline. Background In‐hospital functional decline affects up to 40% of hospitalized older adults. Nurses are responsible for performing functioning‐preserving interventions. Whether continuity of nursing care contributes to patients' functional outcomes is unclear. Method A retrospective observational study of 609 patients aged ≥70 admitted to internal medicine units. Patients were surveyed on their functional (cognitive and physical) status and satisfaction with the hospital care experience. Dispersion and sequence of nursing assignment were measured by the Continuity of Care Index and Sequential Continuity Index. Multivariate logistic regressions were modelled for each continuity score and outcome. Results Achieving 25% of the maximum Continuity of Care Index was associated with lower odds of cognitive decline (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43–0.94) and higher odds of satisfaction (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.06–2.17). Achieving 25% of the maximum Sequential Continuity Index was associated only with higher odds of satisfaction (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.01–2.02). Continuity scores were not associated with physical functioning decline. Conclusion Continuity in nursing assignment is related to a positive patient experience and cognitive functioning of hospitalized older adults. Implications for Nursing Management Continuity should be prioritized in scheduling and assignment algorithms.