Variation in inpatient allied health service provision in Australian and New Zealand hospitals. (3rd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jepson, Megan; Sarkies, Mitchell; Haines, Terry
• Other Names: Morris Meg E. investigator.; Carey Leeanne investigator.; Taylor Nicholas F. investigator.; Holland Anne E. investigator.; Williams Cylie investigator.; O'Brien Lisa investigator.; Skinner Elizabeth H. investigator.; Philip Kathleen investigator.; Bowles Kelly‐Ann investigator.
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 41:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2021-08-03
• Subjects: after‐hours care -- allied health occupations -- evidence‐based practice -- health services research -- inpatients; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12988
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To describe the variability of allied health services on weekends, relative to weekdays, throughout Australian and New Zealand hospitals. Methods: A prospective, cross‐sectional observational study embedded within a cluster randomised control trial. Allied health managers provided administrative data relating to allied health service events. Results: In one month, there were a total of 243 549 allied health service events recorded from 91 sampled hospitals. The mean difference between weekday and weekend allied health service events (daily, per ward) for physiotherapy was 6.52 (95% CI 5.65 to 7.40), acute wards 12.03 (95% CI 10.25 to 13.82) and for metropolitan hospitals 14.47 (95% CI 12.22 to 16.73), revealing more allied health service events of longer duration on weekdays compared to weekends. Conclusions: This research is the first of its kind to describe variation in allied health service provision and potential research to practice gaps across weekday and weekend days in various inpatient settings.