Setting
death, pneumonia, stroke, fracture, COPD
PNEUMONIA, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF), STROKE, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, COPD
Our study took place in Ontario, Canada, where permanent residents have publicly funded health insurance which covers hospital care, primary and subspecialty outpatient care, home and community care, and, for individuals 65 years and older, publicly funded medications. The participants enrolled in the RCT had been admitted to an acute care or rehabilitation hospital with congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, stroke, or an orthopedic procedure (hip fracture, hip replacement, or knee replacement), which are seven diagnoses associated with volume-based hospital funding. Participants who were not discharged home due to in-hospital death or transfer to other services or institutions were excluded. Participants who did not have outcome data due to being lost to follow-up were excluded from this study.