Patient characteristics: N = 135.
| CHARACTERISTICS | PREINTERVENTION GROUP* N = 49 | POSTINTERVENTION GROUP,† N = 86 | P VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y | 86.4 | 85.6 | .425 |
| Sex, n (%) | .398 | ||
| • Female | 31 (63) | 48 (56) | |
| • Male | 18 (37) | 38 (44) | |
| Residence before admission, n (%) | .684 | ||
| • Private residence | 38 (78) | 64 (74) | |
| • Assisted living | 10 (20) | 21 (24) | |
| • Residential care | 1 (1) | 1 (1) | |
| Lives alone, n (%) | 27 (55) | 53 (60) | .543 |
| Known dementia, n (%) | 25 (51) | 44 (52) | .885 |
| Charlson comorbidity index (index range 1–35) | 3.16 | 2.97 | .983 |
ALC—alternate level of care, TCU—transitional care unit.
↵* Preintervention is the 5-month period (September 2009-February 2010) before the opening of the on-site TCU; preintervention ALC patients received care in acute care units.
↵† Postintervention is the 5-month period (September 2011–February 2012) after the opening of the on-site TCU; postintervention ALC patients were either transferred to the TCU or remained in acute care units.