Yale University

Primary intensive care: pilot study of a primary care-based intervention for high-utilizing patients.

TitlePrimary intensive care: pilot study of a primary care-based intervention for high-utilizing patients.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsBrown, Karen E., Jeffrey M. Levine, David A. Fiellin, Patrick O'Connor, and William H. Sledge
JournalDisease management : DM
Volume8
Issue3
Pagination169-77
Date Published2005 Jun
ISSN1093-507X
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Ambulatory Care, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Hospital Costs, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Primary Health Care, Prospective Studies
AbstractThis pilot study was conducted to determine whether primary care patients with perceived inappropriate high healthcare utilization would require fewer emergency or inpatient services while enrolled in a weekly multidisciplinary clinic. Seventeen high-utilizing or difficult management patients of a primary care center were referred for the special intervention, Primary Intensive Care (PIC). Although not selected for the presence of psychopathology, 16 patients had comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Patients followed in the PIC Clinic had significantly lower inpatient and emergency department use during their enrollment in the intervention when compared to the matched pre-enrollment time period, although the total hospital cost differences did not reach statistical significance. Patient and staff satisfaction was high, although the intervention was very difficult for the providers.
DOI10.1111/j.1521-0391.2011.00207.x
Alternate JournalDis Manag

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