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Trial registered on ANZCTR
Registration number
ACTRN12624001008516
Ethics application status
Approved
Date submitted
30/07/2024
Date registered
20/08/2024
Date last updated
20/08/2024
Date data sharing statement initially provided
20/08/2024
Type of registration
Prospectively registered
Titles & IDs
Public title
Optimising older People's Transition from acute care Into residential aged care through Multidisciplinary Assessment and Liaison (OPTIMAL)
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Scientific title
The implementation and clinical effectiveness of a risk adjusted post-discharge intervention to prevent readmission in older individuals transitioning from acute care to residential aged care for the first time.
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Secondary ID [1]
312204
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MRFF 2022, Application ID 2018250 (Work Package 3)
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Universal Trial Number (UTN)
U1111-1308-8240
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Trial acronym
OPTIMAL (Optimising older People's Transition from acute care Into residential aged care through Multidisciplinary Assessment and Liaison)
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Linked study record
MRFF 2022 Models of care to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of acute care grant,
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Health condition
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied:
Preventable readmissions among individuals aged 65 years and older discharged from hospital to a residential aged care facility for the first time
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Condition category
Condition code
Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation
330555
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0
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Other physical medicine / rehabilitation
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Public Health
330556
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0
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Health service research
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Intervention/exposure
Study type
Interventional
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Description of intervention(s) / exposure
The intervention involves risk stratification and implementation of a customised bundle of interventions for hospitalised older patients who are being discharged to residential aged care for the first time.
The study aims to evaluate the implementation and clinical effectiveness of introducing a risk adjusted post-discharge bundle of interventions to support older adults transitioning from hospital to residential aged care for the first time. Previous research from the United States shows that this can significantly reduce preventable readmissions. This approach has previously not been tested in the Australian setting where it is known that 22.6% of individuals who transition to residential aged care for the first time re-present to an emergency department, and 18% will have an unplanned hospitalisation within 90 days.
We will conduct a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation across multiple hospital sites in three local health networks (LHN) in South Australia: South Adeliade Local Health Network (SALHN), Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) and Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN). Randomisation will be at the level of the LHN.
The study population is people aged 65 years and older, discharged from hospital to a residential aged care facility for the first time.
We will select up to twelve wards across the selected hospitals in the three LHN. Each LHN will be randomised to either the control or intervention phase, with one LHN per randomisation, and all wards within an LHN will commence the intervention together.
Over 14 months, we will enroll 1545 participants across the three LHNs. We will implement the intervention in four steps, with 74 participants per LHN in the first step (establishment phase), and 147 participants per LHN per step in subsequent steps. Data of all eligible patients from the selected hospital wards will be collected until the target sample size is reached. The project budget will fund a nurse facilitator in each LHN, who will be a SALHN/CALHN/NALHN employed clinician having access to hospital electronic records and working and communicating with the ward staff. This position is a Level 3 Registered Nurse, and their role is that of an internal facilitator to ensure that evidence-based practice occurs. The nurse facilitator will have experience working with older people and be familiar with residential care facilities and understand dementia.
In the establishment phase: all selected wards will deliver usual care. The data dashboard will be developed and introduced to staff in the LHNs. The discharge note will be implemented and introduced to staff. A nurse facilitator will be appointed to each LHN at least one month prior to the intervention start. The nurse facilitator will work with the clinical teams in each LHN to agree on the evidence bundle of interventions to be implemented for each level of readmission risk. We will carry out pre-implementation context mapping interviews with key decision makers from each LHN and surveys of clinical managers and members of clinical teams.
In the intervention phase eligible patients will be stratified based on risk of readmission and the agreed bundle of interventions will be delivered by the LHN team, based on the patient's assessed risk. We will be using a tool developed for this population to stratify patients based on their risk of readmission (1) when they are ready for discharge from the hospital. The tool has been incorporated into a data dashboard which utilises the EMR data (including gender, age, past medical history, prescribed medications (such as warfarin, anticholinergics and proton pump inhibitors), and number of previous hospitalisations and unplanned ED presentations within defined periods), to categorise eligible patients into risk levels. Risk of readmission will be higher in patients who are male, age more than 90 years, having a history of delirium, Dementia, incontinence, on specific medications, hospitalised in the past 30 days or one year, or had unplanned ED presentations in the preceding 30 days.
Based on their risk level, individuals will receive a customized post-discharge bundle of interventions. Each LHN will be responsible to select the bundle of evidence-based interventions that will be implemented in their sites (there is no defined number of interventions to be implemented, but the selected interventions should be stratified according to the assessed risk). Interventions may include (1) a post-discharge phone call within 48-72 hours, (2) medication reconciliation by a pharmacist within one week, (3) same-day discharge summaries, (4) access to a geriatric hotline, and (5) a visit from an advanced geriatric practice nurse within seven days. High risk patients may transition service navigator for a month post discharge, while low-risk patients may only receive a timely discharge summary and a phone call. As this is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, the length of the intervention phase will be 12 months for LHN 1, 8 months for LHN 2 and 4 months for LHN 3. The LHNs will serve as their own controls.
Outcomes will be monitored using the data dashboard. The primary outcome is readmissions within the first 30- and 90-days post-discharge and the secondary outcomes are the length of stay during readmission and the proportion of eligible patients who receive the risk stratified bundle of interventions. Process evaluation will include assessment of the acceptability, adoption, feasibility and fidelity of implementation. We will carry out implementation context-mapping interviews with key decision makers from each LHN and surveys of clinical managers and members of clinical teams. Adherence to the intervention will be assessed through the activity log and field notes maintained by the nurse facilitator.
In the post intervention phase, we will monitor outcomes and complete data analysis. We will carry out post implementation context-mapping interviews with key decision makers from each LHN and surveys of clinical managers and members of clinical teams. We will disseminate the results to identified stakeholders and promote translation of findings.
The materials that will be used include:
- Interview guides for the pre-intervention, intervention and post intervention context mapping interviews. The interview guides are designed to obtain insights on the context in which implementation takes place, with regards to the innovation (what the current practice is and how the intervention is perceived), recipients (who would be involved, their role in implementation, the available capacity and support, additional resources required, and possible challenges), the local context, organisational context and external health system (facilitators and barriers to implementation)..
- Survey questionnaire (via Qualtrics) for the pre-intervention, intervention and post intervention context mapping surveys, which is expected to take 15 minutes to complete.
- Participant information and consent forms for the interviews and surveys.
- Poster to be displayed in participating wards to provide information to patients and families about the study. The poster explains that we are working on improving the quality of transfers to residential care and are tracking the outcomes of patients on this ward to monitor whether they return to hospital. It includes a contact number for the nurse facilitator whom patients and families can contact should they have any queries about the study.
- Activity log and field notes to be maintained by nurse facilitator in each LHN, which will contribute to process evaluation
Procedures, activities and processes include:
- Steering committee meetings. The Steering Committee provides high level oversight and guidance to the project. The Steering Committee meets monthly for a duration of one hour, and comprises the core research team, the implementing leads and team from each LHN.
- Project planning workshops with stakeholders, overall and at the LHN level
- Development of data dashboard to identify & risk stratify patients and follow up for outcomes
- Establishment of LHN implementation committees and regular meetings of committees
- Develop LHN specific SOP (procedures for intervention will be decided by each LHN)
- Education/training sessions for clinicians on using the data dashboard, the OPTIMAL intervention, and the LHN specific SOP. These sessions will be conducted during the establishment phase, with a duration of one hour each. They will be organised by the nurse facilitator for each LHN, conducted by LHN leads and implementing team, with the support of members of the core research team.
The bundle of interventions will be delivered in person or over the phone, as decided by each LHN team. The intensity of the intervention for each level of risk and the person who will deliver the intervention will also be decided by the LHN team. The intervention will take place in the selected hospitals, prior to discharge and in the residential aged care facility.
1. Inacio MC, Jorissen RN, Wesselingh S, Sluggett JK, Whitehead C, Maddison J, et al. Predictors of hospitalisations and emergency department presentations shortly after entering a residential aged care facility in Australia: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2021;11(11):e057247.
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Intervention code [1]
328731
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Prevention
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Comparator / control treatment
Participants in the control phase will receive the usual care that is given to patients being discharged to residential aged care, which includes a discharge summary at entry to the residential aged care facility.
As this is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, the selected wards will serve as their own controls.
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Control group
Active
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Outcomes
Primary outcome [1]
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Readmissions within 30 days of index discharge
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Assessment method [1]
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Monitored using the data dashboard which incorporates EMR data.
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Timepoint [1]
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30 days after index discharge
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Primary outcome [2]
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Readmissions within 90 days of index discharge.
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Assessment method [2]
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Monitored using the data dashboard which incorporates EMR data.
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Timepoint [2]
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90 days after index discharge
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Secondary outcome [1]
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Length of stay out of hospital (30 days)
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Assessment method [1]
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Calculated by subtracting the length of hospital stay for readmissions (from EMR data)
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Timepoint [1]
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30 days after index discharge
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Secondary outcome [2]
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Length of stay out of hospital (90 days)
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Assessment method [2]
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Calculated by subtracting the length of hospital stay for readmissions (from EMR data)
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Timepoint [2]
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90 days after index discharge
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Secondary outcome [3]
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Proportion of eligible patients who receive the risk stratified bundle of interventions
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Assessment method [3]
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Based on dashboard and nurse facilitator's field notes and activity log
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Timepoint [3]
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90 days after index discharge
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Eligibility
Key inclusion criteria
Patients aged 65 years and older who will be discharged from hospital to a residential aged care facility for the first time.
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Minimum age
65
Years
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Maximum age
No limit
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Sex
Both males and females
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Can healthy volunteers participate?
No
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Key exclusion criteria
Patients with a planned surgical intervention which will require readmission within the 90 days following hospital discharge
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Study design
Purpose of the study
Prevention
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Allocation to intervention
Randomised controlled trial
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Procedure for enrolling a subject and allocating the treatment (allocation concealment procedures)
Central randomisation by computer. Each of the three LHN will be randomised to either the control or intervention phase, with one LHN per randomisation.
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Methods used to generate the sequence in which subjects will be randomised (sequence generation)
Simple randomisation using a randomisation table created by computer software (i.e. computerised sequence generation)
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Masking / blinding
Open (masking not used)
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Who is / are masked / blinded?
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Intervention assignment
Other
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Other design features
The study design is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. Randomisation will be at the level of the LHN. Each LHN will be randomised to either the control or intervention phase, with one LHN per randomisation, and all selected wards within an LHN will commence the intervention together. The selected wards will serve as their own controls. There will be four steps: the first step lasting 2 months, and four months per step in subsequent steps (a total of 14 months).
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Phase
Not Applicable
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Type of endpoint/s
Efficacy
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Statistical methods / analysis
Over a period of 14 months, we will enroll 1545 participants from up to twelve wards across the three LHN. Each LHN will be randomized to either the control or intervention phase, with one LHN per randomization. We will implement the intervention in four steps, with 74 participants per LHN in the first step, and 147 participants per LHN per step in subsequent steps. Previous research has shown that the incidence of unplanned ED presentations and hospitalisations within 90 days of entering residential aged care for the first time is 22.6% and 18% respectively. Our sample size was calculated to ensure that the study has sufficient statistical power for analysis of the outcome measure (the proportion of older patients discharged to residential aged care who were readmitted within 90 days of the date of discharge). We anticipate that we will be able to detect a significant reduction in 90-day readmissions from 20% to 10% in the intervention phase, with 80% power and a significance level of 5%. This accounts for 10% attrition due to deaths or withdrawals.
We will collect 12 months of baseline data for all LHN prior to the first LHN commencing the establishment phase.
While every effort will be made to ensure the data is as complete as possible, we will employ appropriate statistical techniques for managing any missing data and will run analysis to check for any between group differences that may confound the results. We will report the results using the CONSORT 2010 guidelines for randomised trials with the extension for stepped-wedge trials.
Analysis of effectiveness outcomes:
In addition to initial descriptive analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used to test group differences. Subgroup analysis will also be done comparing participants of different demographics and for each LHN. Readmission and length of hospital stay at readmission after the index admission between intervention and control conditions will be compared using generalised linear mixed models accounting for clustering by wards and adjusting for credible confounders to further control baseline imbalance. Results will be presented as means with 95% confidence intervals.
Readmissions within 30 days after discharge will be analysed using a binomial regression model with readmission within 30 days of the index discharge (Yes/No) as the binary response variable. The main result of this analysis is the effect of the intervention on the proportion of patients discharged to residential aged care for the first time who present to Emergency Department and/or are readmitted within 30 days from the date of index discharge, so the main variable will be whether the discharging ward is in control or intervention phase. Patients who die within 30 days of the index discharge will be excluded from the analysis. The model will adjust for potential confounders including patient age, sex, and clinical history. We will add a linear time covariate to account for any potential time trend over the period of data collection.
Readmissions within 90 days after discharge will be analysed using a binomial regression model as described above with readmission within 90 days of the index discharge (Yes/No) as the binary response variable.
Length of stay out of hospital will be analysed for all patients using a generalised linear regression model. The main result of this analysis is the effect of the intervention on the length of stay out of hospital. The main variable will be whether the discharging ward is in control or intervention phase. The model will adjust for potential confounders including patient demographics and time to readmission from index discharge. We will add a linear time covariate to account for any potential time trend over the period of data collection.
Analysis of implementation outcomes (Process Evaluation):
The process evaluation will include evaluation of the acceptability, adoption, feasibility and fidelity of implementing the intervention. Thematic analysis of interview notes and transcripts from the pre-implementation, implementation and evaluation interviews will be carried out, supplemented by survey responses. Nurse facilitators in each LHN will be required to maintain and activity log and field notes, which will also be analysed. Interviews will be recorded (with participants’ permission) via either a digital recording device for face-to-face interviews or via Microsoft Teams for Teams interviews. Recordings will be transcribed, either using the transcription function in Teams or by a transcription company. Recordings will be uploaded to and transcripts downloaded from the transcription company online via our password protected account. Transcripts will be de-identified by removing the participants’ names. Analysis will be iterative to identify emerging themes and then refined. The transcripts will be analysed by an experienced qualitative researcher using NVivo software to code qualitative data into categories then narrowed down into overarching themes, using the i-PARIHS as a conceptual framework. A selection of qualitative interviews will be analysed by a second member of the research team to check for agreement in coding. Any discrepancies will be discussed, and the coding frame clarified. Survey questionnaire responses will be recorded using the Qualtrics platform, exported from Qualtrics to an Excel spreadsheet and uploaded to the Mi-PARIHS Facilitation Implementation tool for analysis.
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Recruitment
Recruitment status
Not yet recruiting
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Date of first participant enrolment
Anticipated
1/09/2024
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Actual
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Date of last participant enrolment
Anticipated
31/10/2025
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Actual
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Date of last data collection
Anticipated
31/01/2026
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Actual
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Sample size
Target
1545
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Accrual to date
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Final
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Recruitment in Australia
Recruitment state(s)
SA
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Recruitment hospital [1]
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The Royal Adelaide Hospital - Adelaide
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Recruitment hospital [2]
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Flinders Medical Centre - Bedford Park
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Recruitment hospital [3]
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Noarlunga Health Service - Noarlunga Centre
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Recruitment hospital [4]
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Repat Neuro-Behavioural Unit - Daw Park
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Recruitment hospital [5]
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Lyell McEwin Hospital - Elizabeth Vale
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Recruitment hospital [6]
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Modbury Hospital - Modbury
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Recruitment postcode(s) [1]
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5000 - Adelaide
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Recruitment postcode(s) [2]
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5042 - Bedford Park
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Recruitment postcode(s) [3]
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5168 - Noarlunga Centre
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Recruitment postcode(s) [4]
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5041 - Daw Park
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Recruitment postcode(s) [5]
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5112 - Elizabeth Vale
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Recruitment postcode(s) [6]
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5092 - Modbury
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Funding & Sponsors
Funding source category [1]
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Government body
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Name [1]
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Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, Medical Research Future Fund
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Address [1]
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Country [1]
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Australia
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Primary sponsor type
University
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Name
College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
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Address
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Country
Australia
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Secondary sponsor category [1]
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University
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Name [1]
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Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University
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Address [1]
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Country [1]
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Australia
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Other collaborator category [1]
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Charities/Societies/Foundations
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Name [1]
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South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
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Address [1]
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Country [1]
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Australia
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Other collaborator category [2]
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Government body
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Name [2]
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Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health
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Address [2]
283066
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Country [2]
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Australia
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Ethics approval
Ethics application status
Approved
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Ethics committee name [1]
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Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee
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Ethics committee address [1]
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https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public%2BContent/SA%2BHealth%2BInternet/About%2Bus/Our%2BLocal%2BHealth%2BNetworks/Southern%2BAdelaide%2BLocal%2BHealth%2BNetwork/Research/For%2BResearchers/Southern%2BAdelaide%2BClinical%2BHuman%2BResearch%2BEthics%2BCommittee
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Ethics committee country [1]
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Australia
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Date submitted for ethics approval [1]
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08/09/2023
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Approval date [1]
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13/09/2023
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Ethics approval number [1]
315366
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2023/HRE00111
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Summary
Brief summary
This study is a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial aimed at investigating the implementation and clinical effectiveness of multidisciplinary post-discharge bundles on preventing readmission for older people transitioning from hospital to residential aged care for the first time. This will be carried out at multiple hospital sites in three local health networks in South Australia. Eligible patients will be stratified according to their risk of readmission and will receive a customized post-discharge bundle of interventions based on their assessed risk. The outcomes are 30- and 90- day readmissions after the index discharge and length of stay out of hospital. Process evaluation will include the acceptability, adoption, feasibility and fidelity of implementation.
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Trial website
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Trial related presentations / publications
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Public notes
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Contacts
Principal investigator
Name
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Prof Maria Crotty
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Address
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College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Office: Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Building, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, 5041 SA
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Country
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Australia
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Phone
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+61 8 7421 9791
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Fax
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Email
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[email protected]
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Contact person for public queries
Name
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Prof Gillian Harvey
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Address
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College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Office: Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Building, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, 5041 SA
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Country
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Australia
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Phone
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+61 8 7421 9422
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Fax
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Email
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[email protected]
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Contact person for scientific queries
Name
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Prof Gillian Harvey
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Address
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College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Office: Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Building, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, 5041 SA
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Country
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Australia
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Phone
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+61 8 7421 9422
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Fax
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Email
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[email protected]
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Data sharing statement
Will individual participant data (IPD) for this trial be available (including data dictionaries)?
Yes
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What data in particular will be shared?
Deidentified individual participant data (with a unique participant number) collected during the trial will be shared.
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When will data be available (start and end dates)?
Data will be available immediately following publication of main results, no end date determined.
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Available to whom?
Only researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, to be decided on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Primary Sponsor.
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Available for what types of analyses?
For IPD meta-analysis
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How or where can data be obtained?
Access subject to approvals by Principal Investigator - can be contacted via email to
[email protected]
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What supporting documents are/will be available?
No Supporting Document Provided
Results publications and other study-related documents
Documents added manually
No documents have been uploaded by study researchers.
Documents added automatically
No additional documents have been identified.
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