The effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits for elderly patients. Design: Systematic review. Methods: A computer-aided search was conducted using the databases of Medline and Cinahl. Any studies investigating predischarge home assessment visits were included in the analysis. Results: No randomized controlled trials were found. Only five studies (two retrospective surveys, three observational surveys) were identified. In four of these, a possible benefit for home visiting was suggested. Conclusions: Little evidence exists for the effectiveness of predischarge home assessment visits. Further research is needed to establish their value.