Post-acute patient: what is the real meaning?

AIM OF THE STUDY The study is about Medicine ward inpatients in one acute hospital, before and after the implementation of the Post Acute Care Unit (PACU). Clinical parameters to be accepted in PACU and clinical and assistential needs are defined.
METHODS The selection of patients relies on the absence of criteria for staying in acute hospital, as defined in the Hospital Utilization Evaluation Protocol (PRUO), and excluding patients with end stage tumors. The care burden is calculated applying the Care Complexity Score (CCS) at time of take in charge. We present data related to the first 100 consecutive patients managed in PACU, compared with those of Medicine staying obtained in 3 different days during the month antecedent the activation of PACU.
RESULTS Among the in-patients in the medical ward, 17.3% can be managed in PACU. Compared to all in-patients, post acute population resulted older, with greater CCS and need of care support at discharge. The high number of deaths (24%) is due to patients with several end stage co-morbidities, which are very difficult to manage at home, with adequate tools.
CONCLUSIONS Octogenarians who overcrowd acute-patient hospitals demonstrate increased care demands and may need a prolonged hospital stay to achieve clinical stabilization or functional independence after an acute event. This goal can be obtained in a specifically oriented hospital setting. The same area could also manage the end of life of patients with multiple co-morbidities, even if not with neoplastic disease.