Patients
For this study, only observational data from control group patients were used to exclude a possible effect of the intervention telephone follow-up call. Patients aged ≥ 70 years who were discharged from one of the EDs of HMC to an unassisted living environment were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were: admission to the hospital, discharge to a nursing home, another care facility or assisted living environment, and planned follow-up appointment at an outpatient clinic or at the ED within 24 h [