Evidence map›Paper›PMID 17540015›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2007

The functioning of the Cuban home hospitalization programme: a descriptive analysis.

Pol De Vos, Isabel Barroso, Armando Rodríguez, Mariano Bonet, Patrick Van der Stuyft

Abstract readEvaluation Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2007. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Pol De VosDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. pdevos@itg.be
Isabel Barroso
Armando Rodríguez
Mariano Bonet
Patrick Van der Stuyft

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOver the last decades hospital at home (HaH) programmes have been set up in many, mainly European, countries. The Cuban HaH programme is not hospital driven, but the responsibility of the first line health services, and family doctors play a pivotal role.

methodsWe analyse the structure and functioning of the Cuban programme. In this descriptive study, information was prospectively collected on HaH patients admitted between July 1st 2001 and June 30th 2002.

resultsAdmission rates varied between areas from 0.014 to 0.035 per person per year (ppy). The < 1 y and 1-4 y age groups had the highest admission rates. In one area the follow-up of pregnancy problems led to high 15-24 y and 25-49 y female admission rates (0,070 and 0,058 respectively). Respiratory affections were the most frequent reason for admission (32,6%), followed by early hospital discharge (16,0%) and gynaeco-obstetrical problems (10.8%). The median length of stay varied from 5 to 7 days between regions and from 5 days (early discharge) to 7 days (gynaeco-obstetrical problems) in function of the reason for admission. On average an HaH episode entailed 1.4 and 1.6 contacts per patient-day with the family doctor and nurse respectively.

conclusionDifference in admission criteria in function of geography, distance to the hospital, transport facilities, and staff factors, as well as differences in hospital policy on early discharge explain the observed variability. The programme plays an important role in the integrated approach to quality care in the Cuban health system, but could benefit from more uniform admission criteria.

Indexed as

Program EvaluationUtilization ReviewAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolContinuity of Patient CareCubaDelivery of Health Care, IntegratedEfficiency, OrganizationalFamily PracticeFemaleGeographyHealth Services AccessibilityHome Care ServicesHumans

Identifiers

PMID17540015
PMCPMC1894963

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