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Information about ongoing health services research and public health projects


Home to Stay: an integrated monitoring system using a mobile app to help reduce readmissions following colorectal surgery
Investigator (PI): Kennedy, Erin
Performing Organization (PO): (Current): Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai Hospital / (416) 586-4800
Supporting Agency (SA): Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Initial Year: 2018
Final Year: 2021
Record Source/Award ID: CIHR/ 159803
Award Type: Grant
Abstract: Background: Colorectal surgery includes surgery for colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other benign diseases such as diverticulitis. In Canada, approximately 21,000 colorectal surgeries are performed each year. Patients undergoing colorectal surgery face high rates of unplanned hospital visits, including readmission to hospital and emergency room (ER) visits. These unplanned hospital visits lead to significant distress and anxiety for patients and increased health care costs. Research aims: The goal is to evaluate the use of an integrated discharge monitoring system with a mobile application (app) to support colorectal surgery patients at home following discharge from hospital. Methods: The study will include 3 hospitals across Canada. Patients will be assigned to either a control group or intervention group. Control group patients will receive standard follow-up care after going home following surgery. Intervention group patients will be enrolled in an integrated discharge monitoring system using an app to monitor their progress at home following discharge after surgery. The main outcomes are to measure the number of patients with unplanned hospital visits within 30 days of discharge following surgery, the quality of patient recovery, and confidence managing one's own health care. Patients are eligible if they are being discharged home after having elective colorectal surgery, are 18 years or older, and speak and understand English or French. At the end of the study, the outcomes between the control group and intervention group will be compared to look for important differences. Expected outcomes: It is expected that the results of this study will show that the integrated discharge monitoring system will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of patient recovery and self-confidence with one's own health care, as well as significantly reduce the number of unplanned hospital visits for patients undergoing colorectal surgery in Canada.
MeSH Terms:
  • Canada /epidemiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms /*surgery
  • Colorectal Surgery /*methods
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Health Care Costs
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • * Mobile Apps
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
  • Patient Monitoring /*methods
  • * Patient Readmission
  • Postoperative Care /*methods
  • Postoperative Period
Country: Canada
State: ON
Zip Code: M5G 1X5
UI: 20211388
Project Status: Ongoing