A mobile integrated health program for the management of undifferentiated acute complaints in older adults is safe and feasible

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPoor care access and lack of proper triage of medical complaints leads to inappropriate use of acute care resources. Mobile integrated health (MIH) programs may offer a solution by providing adaptable on‐demand care. There is little information describing programs that manage undifferentiated complaints in the community. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of an MIH program that responds to the community to manage medical complaints in older adults.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study examining a pilot MIH program. Seven ambulatory clinics and their affiliated patients aged 65 and older were oriented to the program and invited to use its services. Visit and follow‐up data for all patients who underwent an MIH visit were abstracted, along with 30‐day follow‐up information. All demographic data and outcomes were reported descriptively.ResultsIn 21 months, 153 MIH visits were completed, involving 91 patients (mean age 81 years, 60.4% female). The most common chief complaints were generalized weakness (28.8%) and shortness of breath (18.9%). Electrocardiogram (57.5%) and point‐of‐care bloodwork (34.6%) were the most common diagnostic tests performed. Sixteen visits (10.4%) were followed by an emergency department (ED) visit within 72 h. In 11 encounters, the patient was referred to the ED; in five cases, the ED visit was unforeseen. Fifteen patients (9.8%) were admitted to the hospital after an MIH visit. There were two deaths within 30 days following an index visit.ConclusionsAn MIH program designed to address the acute complaints of community‐dwelling older adults was feasible and safe, with low rates of unforeseen emergency services utilizations. MIH programs have valuable diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and may serve to help triage the acute medical needs of patients. Further study is required to validate the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of MIH programs.