Evaluation of innovations in nursing practice: report and discussion

AIM: To assess whether a pilot study conducted in the UK achieved its objective to reduce admissions to hospital and bed days in patients identified as suitable recipients of case management by community matrons. BACKGROUND: The Department of Health has advocated the use of nurse-led case management to improve the coordination of care and prevent inappropriate hospital admissions. METHOD: 66 patients and another 66 controls were identified for the 'Evercare' caseload according to criteria set by United Healthcare. Admissions data for the six months after entry into the study were collected from the hospital information system. FINDINGS: admission rates in both the control and intervention group decreased over time and there was no significant difference in rates between the two groups at six months. There was no demonstrable effect on length of stay either. Users were satisfied with the service and nurses cited several clinical stories implying benefits for individual patients.