Impact of interhospital transfer on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias

Published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Here is a link to the article.

Regenstrief Institute authors: Kathleen Unroe M.D., MHA, Malaz Boustani, M.D., MPH

This retrospective study examined the outcomes of interhospital transfers in older adults (≥65 years), comparing those with and without Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Researchers reviewed medical records to assess care utilization and outcomes following emergency department transfers to tertiary hospitals.

Findings revealed that patients with ADRD were less likely to receive intensive care or undergo procedures within 48 hours of transfer (OR 1.87; 95% CI, 1.22–2.88). They were also less likely to be admitted as full code or discharged home. While they more frequently received geriatrics and palliative care consults, the benefit of transfer for this population remains unclear.

Overall, older adults with ADRD experienced fewer high-intensity interventions after transfer, raising questions about the value and appropriateness of such transfers. Further research is needed to evaluate patient-centered outcomes and guide care decisions for this vulnerable group.

Authors

Nancy Glober¹, Alexandra LaShell¹, Nicholas Montelauro¹, Lindsay Troyer¹, Michael Supples², Kathleen Unroe¹, Christopher Tainter³, Greg Faris¹, Mikita Fuchita⁴, Malaz Boustani¹

Author Affiliations

¹Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis Indiana USA.

²Department of Emergency Medicine Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston-Salem North Carolina USA.

³University of California at San Diego La Jolla California USA.

⁴University of Colorado Hospital Aurora Colorado USA.