Table 2.
Outcomes at discharge from the TCP according to polypharmacy status
| All n=347 | Non-polypharmacy <5 drugs n=49 (14.1%) | Polypharmacy 5–9 drugs n=162 (46.7%) | Hyperpolypharmacy ≥10 drugs n=136 (39.2%) | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge destination | 0.200 | ||||
| – Community | 297 (85.6) | 44 (89.8) | 139 (85.8) | 114 (83.8) | |
| – Hospital | 43 (12.4) | 3 (6.1) | 20 (12.3) | 20 (14.7) | |
| – RACF | 3 (0.9) | 2 (4.1) | 1 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | |
| – Died | 4 (1.2) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.2) | 2 (1.5) | |
| Length of stay (days) median (IQR) | 54 (37–73) | 57 (38.5–80) | 54 (38.75–69.25) | 48.5 (31.25–73) | 0.199 |
| Failure to improve in ADLa | 42 (12.6) | 2 (4.1) | 15 (9.8) | 25 (18.9) | 0.011 |
| Failure to improve in IADLb | 63 (19.0) | 4 (8.3) | 23 (14.9) | 36 (27.7) | 0.003 |
| Falls while in the TCP | 48 (15.3) | 2 (4.5) | 30 (20.4) | 16 (13.0) | 0.023 |
Notes: Unless otherwise stated, columns represent n (%).
a
Failure to improve in ADL was defined as having a worse (higher) ADL scale score at discharge than at admission or maintaining their score for those with some impairment on admission.17
b
Failure to improve in IADL was defined as having a worse (higher) IADL scale score at discharge than at admission or maintaining their score for those with some impairment on admission.17
Abbreviations: ADL, activities of daily living; IADL, instrumental ADL; IQR, interquartile range; RACF, residential aged care facilities; TCP, Transition Care Program.