• Marco Clari, Simona Frigerio, Fulvio Ricceri, Andrea Pici, Rosaria Alvaro, and Valerio Dimonte.
• Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
• J Clin Nurs. 2015 Oct 1; 24 (19-20): 2736-44.

Aims And ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of a follow-up telephone call to reduce the number of issues after hospital discharge.BackgroundThe postdischarge period is often a time of uncertainty and risk. The decreasing length of hospital stays has increased the need for specific instructions about the postdischarge period. A telephone follow-up could be a valuable tool to fill this information gap.DesignDouble-blind, randomised controlled trial.MethodsThe participants included medium or low-intensity orthopaedic patients. We implemented a structured telephone follow-up call conducted by a senior orthopaedic nurse to provide educational support to the intervention group (n = 110), while the control group (n = 109) received routine care after being discharged. Data were collected between September 2011-January 2012. Statistical differences between the two groups were tested using chi-square test or Wilcoxon rank sum test, as appropriate. A linear regression model was performed to investigate factors involved into postdischarge outcomes.ResultsThe intervention group had a statistically significant reduction in all postdischarge problems except for pain and mobilisation; the group also had a lower chance of experiencing frequent or severe problems. The educational intervention and prior poor health had a strong correlation with problems after discharge. Patients who received a telephone follow-up call believed the information provided was valuable.ConclusionThis nurse-led follow-up intervention significantly contributed to solving or reducing postdischarge health problems and contributed to reduce unnecessary burden on the community health system.Relevance To Clinical PracticeA nurse-led telephone follow-up is a simple, feasible and low-cost tool to improve patients' outcomes after discharge.© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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