The effect of a virtual ward program on emergency services utilization and quality of life in frail elderly patients after discharge: a pilot study

Figures & data

Figure 1 Flow chart of subjects through the study.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of patients and carers by group (N=39)

Characteristics	Intervention (n=39)	Control (n=39)
Patients
Age, mean ± SD	80.2±7.7	80.5±8.5
Clinical Frailty Index, mean ± SD	6.64±1.35	6.15±1.44
Male, n (%)	28 (71.8)	29 (74.4)
Educational level, n (%)
Not educated/kindergarten	19 (48.7)	16 (41.0)
Primary school	17 (43.6)	14 (35.9)
Above primary school	3 (7.7)	9 (23.1)
Diagnosis of disease, n (%)
COPD	12 (30.8)	12 (30.8)
Chronic heart failure	10 (25.6)	10 (25.6)
Cancer	7 (17.9)	7 (17.9)
Others	10 (25.6)	10 (25.6)
Carer’s relationship with patient, n (%)
Spouse	19 (48.7)	22 (56.4)
Child	16 (41.0)	15 (38.5)
Relatives	2 (5.1)	0 (0)
Maid	2 (5.1)	2 (5.1)
Carers
Age, mean ± SD	58.7±17.9	58.7±17.0
Male, n (%)	9 (23.1)	5 (12.8)
Educational level, n (%)
Not educated/kindergarten	12 (30.8)	8 (20.5)
Primary school	7 (17.9)	11 (28.2)
Above primary school	20 (51.3)	20 (51.3)

Note: Percentages may not sum up to 100% due to rounding-off.

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Table 2 Comparison of changes in hospital services utilization from baseline to follow-up of matched patient pairs in the two groups

Hospital service	Matched pair	Intervention			Control			P
		Baseline	Follow-up	Change	Baseline	Follow-up	Change
Length of hospitalization via emergency admission in past 90 days	39	15.03±17.52	3.41±8.09	−11.62±17.91	14.28±17.68	9.43±18.74	−4.38±26.41	0.14
Number of admissions via emergency admission in past 90 days	39	1.97±1.31	0.56±0.72	−1.41±1.23	1.68±1.23	0.90±1.08	−0.77±1.31	0.049*
Number of A&E attendance in past 90 days	39	2.15±1.27	0.64±0.78	−1.51±1.25	2.08±1.51	1.00±1.09	−1.08±1.48	0.29

Notes: Data are reported with mean and standard deviation. Wilcoxon signed-rank sum tests were used.

* P-value <0.05.

Abbreviation: A&E, accident and emergency.

Table 3 Comparison of changes in hospital services utilization from baseline to follow-up of matched patient pairs in the two groups excluding those who died

Hospital service	Matched pair	Intervention			Control			P
		Baseline	Follow-up	Change	Baseline	Follow-up	Change
Length of hospitalization via emergency admission in past 90 days	24	17.21±21.09	4.67±9.97	−12.54±21.74	11.50±11.21	11.63±22.62	0.13±25.12	0.12
Number of admissions via emergency admission in past 90 days	24	2.17±1.37	0.63±0.77	−1.54±1.22	1.75±1.33	1.08±1.25	−0.67±1.49	0.038*
Number of A&E attendance in past 90 days	24	2.33±1.37	0.71±0.86	−1.63±1.24	2.38±1.66	1.13±1.23	−1.25±1.59	0.50

Notes: Data are reported with mean and standard deviation. Wilcoxon signed-rank sum tests were used.

* P-value <0.05.

Abbreviation: A&E, accident and emergency.

Table 4 Comparison of changes in QOL scores from baseline to follow-up of the matched patients in the two groups

mQOLC-E dimension	Matched pair	Intervention			Control			P
		Baseline	Follow-up	Change	Baseline	Follow-up	Change
Overall mQOLC-E	18	2.81±2.58	3.42±0.60	0.60±0.56	2.78±0.72	2.85±0.75	0.07±0.56	0.02a,*
Physical discomfort	22	2.49±0.67	3.16±0.91	0.67±0.92	2.18±0.88	2.39±1.05	0.20±0.96	0.17b
Food-related concerns	22	2.41±0.98	3.23±0.84	0.82±0.87	2.52±0.96	2.39±0.96	−0.14±0.95	0.003b,**
Care and support	21	3.44±0.43	3.87±0.27	0.43±0.46	3.19±0.63	3.31±0.39	0.12±0.59	0.09a
Negative emotions	20	2.83±0.87	3.56±0.46	0.73±0.74	2.76±1.00	2.78±1.06	0.02±1.03	0.01b,***
Existential distress	20	2.52±0.92	3.23±0.92	0.72±1.06	2.62±0.94	2.77±0.99	0.15±0.81	0.04b,*
Value of life	19	3.17±0.89	3.39±0.78	0.22±0.85	2.91±0.88	2.89±0.93	−0.01±0.40	0.23a

Notes: Data are reported with mean and standard deviation.

a Wilcoxon signed-rank sum tests

b Paired t-test.

* P-value <0.05.

** P-value <0.01.

*** P-value <0.005.

Abbreviations: QOL, quality of life; mQOLC-E, modified Quality-of-Life Concerns in the End of Life Questionnaire.