Intermediate Care, Clinical and Economic Outcomes. Systematic Review

Introduction: Intermediate care is a healthcare model designed to bridge the gap between hospital care and home, focusing on the efficient treatment and rehabilitation of patients after hospitalization. Its primary goals include facilitating early discharge, promoting patient independence, and preventing hospital readmissions. While previous studies have shown promise regarding the effectiveness of intermediate care, they often report mixed results, underscoring the necessity for further investigation. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of bed-based intermediate care services in enhancing patient outcomes during the post-hospital discharge process. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across major scientific databases to identify relevant literature. The inclusion criteria focused on primary experimental studies that reported outcomes related to mortality, post-discharge care settings, functional status, length of hospitalization, rates of hospital readmission, and both physical and psychological well-being, as well as cost-effectiveness. Results: A total of six articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings generally suggest a favorable impact of intermediate care facilities on patient outcomes. However, it is important to note that the data exhibited low statistical significance. The evidence indicates that intermediate care facilities are at least as effective as traditional hospital care, which carries a significantly higher financial burden. Conclusions: Although the statistical significance of the results is limited, the trends indicate that intermediate care facilities may serve as suitable and economically viable alternatives for post-hospital care. Further research with larger sample sizes and more robust methodologies is necessary to confirm these findings and fully understand the role of intermediate care in enhancing patient outcomes.