A Study on Outcomes of the Utilization of Visiting Nursing Service at the Integrated Visiting Nursing Center in Bucheon-si

Abstract

Purpose: The government has implemented a pilot project for community care for older adults and the integrated visiting nursing center in Bucheon-si operated by public fund of government to provide visiting nursing service for older adults. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of the utilization of visiting nursing service at the integrated visiting nursing center in Bucheon-si.Methods: This study linked the personal data from the pilot project for community care with the National Health Insurance data. The final subjects comprised 30 participants and 110 of the matched control group. The length of home stay, hospitalization, and the admission for long-term care facilities or convalescent hospitals were measured. Statistical analysis was performed through difference-in-differences analysis using generalized estimating equation and Cox proportional hazards model.Results: The results indicated an increase of 28.2 days for length of home stay and a reduction of 69% in hospitalization from medical institutions and 81% in admission of long-term care facilities or convalescent hospitals among participants compared to the control group. Conclusion: The visiting nursing service of the integrated visiting nursing center was effective in extending length of home stay and lowering the hospitalization of medical institutions and admission of long-term care facilities or convalescent hospitals.