Optimized Acute Care for Geriatric Patients Using an Intersectoral Telemedical Cooperation Network - Around the Clock (Optimal@NRW)

Optimized Acute Care for Geriatric Patients Using an Intersectoral Telemedical Cooperation Network - Around the Clock

Optimized Acute Care for Geriatric Patients Using an Intersectoral Telemedical Cooperation Network - Around the Clock

Due to "demographic change", the composition of the population in Germany is changing. The consequence of this change is a population that is getting older on average. A key challenge is the appropriate nursing and medical care of older people in senior residences and care facilities. The increasing workload for nursing staff and doctors in the outpatient sector means that timely care for patients, e.g. in the form of GP visits, cannot always be guaranteed in a timely manner. The results are unnecessary or premature hospital admissions as well as ambulance and emergency care interventions, even though in many cases it is not an acute or even life-threatening event. Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven that hospital admissions can increase the risk of patients becoming confused. The aim of this project is to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and to enable patients to remain in their familiar surroundings as far as this appears medically justifiable. At the same time, the study aims to improve the medical care of nursing home residents through better networking of medical areas, the use of tele-consultations and an early warning system.

The Optimal@NRW project represents a new cross-sectoral approach to the acute care and support of geriatric people in need of care through the implementation of an early warning system and the integration of a telemedical consultation system in 25 nursing homes in the region of Aachen in Germany. The project focuses on restructuring emergency care in nursing homes and improving cooperation between the actors involved (emergency service, emergency department, general practitioners, nursing staff, etc.). Accordingly, a central emergency number of the statutory health insurance funds is to act as a virtual hub for the care of geriatric patients. The concrete approach of the project is that the participating nursing homes first contact the medical call centre (116 117) in case of a medical problem. The call centre is then responsible for an initial medical assessment and decides whether the respective GP can be called in or whether a teleconsultation with the "virtual digital desk" (i.e. the medical experts from the emergency department of the University Hospital RWTH Aachen) should be carried out. In addition, mobile nursing assistants (NÄPÄ (Z)) will be introduced as part of the project, who can also support the nursing staff and provide services that can be delegated by doctors - especially if the general practitioner is not available at the time. In addition, a standardised early warning system is to be established in the nursing homes and its benefits evaluated. This will enable potentially dangerous changes in the state of health of nursing home residents to be detected earlier.

Participants in this group are routinely treated with additional telemedical support and the use of the early warning system.

The nursing homes participating in the project will be equipped with telemedical equipment. This will allow teleconsultations to take place when needed. In addition, an early warning system will be introduced and, within the framework of the teleconsultation, a trained medical assistant can be sent to the care facility if necessary, who can carry out medical activities on site under a physician's delegated instructions. In addition, an electronic patient file will be introduced which can be accessed by the telemedicine physician and the general practitioner.

Resuscitation during teleconsultation Unexpected death during teleconsultation Unexpected death within 24 hours after teleconsultation Unexpected hospitalisation within 24 hours of teleconsultation Unexpected death while wearing a biosensor (if available)

Quality of life assessed using Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD). The total score ranges from 13 to 52, with a higher number indicating better quality of life

Quality of life assessed using Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12). The outcome includes a physical and mental health component score (PCS and MCS, respectively). Each component score (PCS and MCS) has a range of 0-100, with a higher score on the PCS and MCS indicating better outcome, or better physical or mental health-related quality of life, respectively.

Assessment procedures of daily living skills assessed via Barthel Index. Score of the Barthel Index ranging from 0 to 100 were collected when 0 is the minimum (worst outcome) and 100 is the maximum (best outcome).

Identification of people with dementia syndromes in inpatient care for the elderly using Dementia Screening Scale (DSS). Score of the DSS ranging from 0 to 14. When 0 is the minimum (no impairment) and 14 is the maximum (maximum impairment).

hospital referrals and use of primary care physicians and physicians of the GP emergency service before and after the implementation of telemedicine in nursing homes

hospital referrals and use of primary care physicians and physicians of the GP emergency service before and after the implementation of telemedicine in nursing homes

Response times in doctor-patient contact before and after the implementation of telemedicine in nursing homes

Number of incorrect suspected diagnoses compared to diagnoses after teleconsultation or admission to hospital

Number of incorrect suspected diagnoses compared to diagnoses after teleconsultation or admission to hospital

Number of incorrect suspected diagnoses compared to diagnoses after teleconsultation or admission to hospital

Rate of guideline deviations in diagnostics and therapy for specific tracer diagnoses (e.g. hypertension/blood pressure derailment, blood sugar derailment, infections - community-acquired (urinary tract infection, bronchitis, pneumonia))

Reasons for deviations (lack of knowledge, individual knowledge about patient, allergies, living will, local conditions/treatment resources, patient wishes)

- tracer-diagnoses: fever, urinary-tract infection, pneumonia, cardiac decompensation, cardiac arrhythmia, reduced vigilance, hypertension, hypo-/hyperglycaemia, pain

Inclusion Criteria: Resident of one of the participating nursing homes At least 18 years old Written informed consent Consent of the guardian for residents who are not legally able to give consent Exclusion Criteria: Persons placed in an institution by order of an authority or court Persons who are in a dependent or employment relationship with the investigator

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Brucken D, Unterkofler J, Pauge S, Bienzeisler J, Hubel C, Zechbauer S, Rossaint R, Greiner W, Aufenberg B, Rohrig R, Bollheimer LC; Optimal@NRW Research Group; Brokmann JC. Optimal@NRW: optimized acute care of nursing home residents using an intersectoral telemedical cooperation network - study protocol for a stepped-wedge trial. Trials. 2022 Sep 27;23(1):814. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06613-1.