Partners at Care Transitions (PACT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Partners at Care Transitions (PACT): Improving Patient Experience and Safety at Transitions of Care
IRAS ID
214396
Contact name
Rebecca Lawton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Background: Older people are the highest users of the NHS and, with the number of people in the UK aged 75 and over set to double in the next 30 years, this group of patients is an important target for support to improve transitions of care. Patients now spend less time in hospital than they did 10 years ago. This can benefit both patients, who prefer to be at home, and hospitals, who can treat more patients if patient stays are shorter. However, this also means that patients leave hospital sicker with ongoing treatment needs. As the transition period can be a risky one, particularly for older patients with complex needs and who may be anxious, confused and disorientated, it is important to investigate whether greater involvement of patients and their families can improve patient experience and safety at the transitions of care.
Current study: In this research, we will try to understand the experience and safety of care for older patients during transitions. This study will explore the experiences of older patients (75+) and their carer in terms of the quality and safety of care during and following the transition from hospital to home. The factors that help both patients and those caring for them to be more resilient will also be examined.
How: Observations of the patient/carer experience and interviews will be conducted with 30 older patients during different points in the care transition (from hospital to home).Where: Observations of patients and carers and interviews with older patients will take place across two hospital Trusts, and follow the patients from hospital to home.
Results: Analysis of observations and interviews will use a Framework approach to identify themes to understand safety in transitions and generate ideas about how patients could be more actively involved in care at transitions.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
17/WA/0057
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion