From hospital to post-acute care organizations: the relationship between patient experience and health recovery

Abstract

Abstract Objective To determine to what extent patient health status and recovery in post-acute care organizations (PACO) is related to patient experience of the discharge process from hospital and to patient experience while staying in these facilities. Design Longitudinal study of patients discharged from hospitals to PACO. Setting 12 hospitals and 14 PACO Portuguese organizations. Participants 181 patients participated in the both stages of data gathering. Main Outcome Measures Patients’ physical and mental health status was measured through the 36-item short form health survey scale. The experience of transition from hospital to PACO was measured with the Care Transition Measure. The Picker Adult In-Patient Questionnaire was used to measure patients’ experience in these organizations. Results Patients reporting better physical condition in PACO had a better experience on discharge [b = 0.21, 95% confidence interval, CI (0.10, 0.31)] and perceive fewer problems inside facilities [b = − 0.19, 95% CI (−0.31, 0.08)]. The experience in PACO is significantly related to patients’ mental health status [b = − 0.47, 95% CI (−0.59, − 0.36)]. Patients showing higher levels of physical recovery had a better experience on discharge [b = − 0.18, 95% CI (0.08, 0.28)], while those registering better mental recovery experienced fewer problems during their stay [b = − 0.41, 95% CI (−0.52, − 0.30)]. Conclusions PACO play a key role in maintaining and promoting patients’ health, and this goal is influenced by their experience both in the transition from hospitals to PACO and while staying in these facilities.