Abstract
Purpose: This research aimed to classify inpatients using survey items to determine the patient acuity levels in long-term care wards and to visualize their clinical status, and medical care for them.
Methods: Using convenience sampling, we conducted a chart-review-based survey of 364 patients admitted to long-term care wards at five facilities. Hierarchical cluster analysis using items was conducted to determine the inpatient acuity levels in long-term care wards and to compare the patient clinical characteristics across the clusters.
Results: We identified five clusters as follows: cluster 1, receiving intravenous nutrition; cluster 2, receiving respiratory care with mechanical ventilation; cluster 3, receiving respiratory care with tracheotomy; cluster 4, receiving various medical treatments and care; and cluster 5, mixed conditions. There were inter-cluster differences in the primary diagnosis, clinical status, medical treatment and procedure, age, patient location before admission, discharge pathway, and activities of daily living levels.
Conclusions: The items selected to determine patient acuity levels in long-term care wards were useful to visualize the characteristics of patients admitted to long-term care wards in Japan. However, this study was limited by the convenience sampling design. Future studies should establish measures for the comprehensive assessment of patient clinical status/care needs and develop a care recommendation system based on the assessment.
