Evaluation of discharge after arrival at emergency unit, Kolding Hospital combined with treatment and rehabilitation in the home either by telemedicine or the usual treatment

Participants are acute in-patients at the Medical Department, Kolding Hospital. Participants shall be informed about the project, and all screened initially within 30 minutes. After 3-4 hours adjusted treatment and possible need for new investigations are conducted. Patients are randomized at discharge to home treatment with rounds via telemedicine with support of emergency team of nurses or hospitalization in emergency unit. Observations, treatment and rehabilitation follow the same standards and guidelines for all patients. The cohort of patients is recruited between Oct 1, 2015 until January 1, 2016. The study is a randomized quality evaluation study of patient satisfaction, of the emergency team at Kolding Municipality, re-admittance rate, use of other health services, and new services from the municipality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• municipal home care at admittance
• admitted to medical emergency care unit at Kolding Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• ketoacidosis,
• hyperosmolar diabetic coma,
• serious hypercalcemia,
• acute renal insufficiency with serum-creatinin > 175 mmol/l,
• serious cardiac failure
• septicemia
• acute coronary disease
• apoplexia cerebri
• neuroinfection
• progressive or active cancer
• hepatic disease
• serious psychiatric disease

publication planned