Evaluation of a program to provide care in aged care homes in rural Australia
Evaluation of a Region-wide Residential In-Reach (RIR) Program in Regional and Rural Health Services: A Stepped-wedge Trial
This study is testing a new program to see if providing better care in rural aged care homes can help keep residents from needing to go to the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Monash University Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Ararat, Victoria and 7 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06901167 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This program aims to implement a Residential In-Reach (RIR) initiative in regional and rural Australia to provide responsive care for residents in aged care homes, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital transfers. The study will utilize a stepped-wedge trial design, allowing for the gradual rollout of the RIR program across various facilities while comparing outcomes over time. The primary focus will be on measuring the impact of the program on emergency department presentations and urgent care visits. The evaluation will assess both clinical and cost-effectiveness of the RIR program in these settings.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include residents of residential aged care homes in the Grampians region who can provide informed consent or have family members who can consent on their behalf.
Not a fit: Patients residing in aged care homes that already have access to a Residential In-Reach program will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce hospital transfers for aged care residents, improving their overall health outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in urban settings have shown success with similar RIR programs, but evidence in rural and regional contexts is limited and of low quality.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Health services that have emergency departments and/or emergency care centres that admit residents from residential aged care homes (RACH) * RACHs that do not currently have access to RIR programs * health service staff who have been involved with the set-up and delivery of the RIR program, * RACH staff who have experience of or accessing the RIR service for residents at least once, * residents living at a RACH who has experienced receiving medical care from the RIR program and can provide informed consent, or a family member of the resident, * general practitioners whose case load includes residents from RACHs. Exclusion Criteria: • RACHs that already have access to a RIR program will be excluded
Where this trial is running
Ararat, Victoria and 7 other locations
- East Grampians Health Service — Ararat, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Grampians Health — Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Beaufort and Skipton Health Service — Beaufort, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Central Highlands Rural Health — Daylesford, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Maryborough District Health Service — Maryborough, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- West Wimmera Health Service — Nhill, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- East Wimmera Health Service — Saint Arnaud, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
- Rural Northwest Health — Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Terry Haines — Monash University
- Study coordinator: Dai Pu
- Email: debbie.pu@monash.edu
- Phone: 61 03 9904 4004
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.