Health Programme Evaluation and the Improvement of Quality of Care: An Orthogeriatrics Programme Case Study

Abstract

The evaluation results of the Orthogeriatric Unit at Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Hospital, Tenerife, Canary Islands, are set out in this paper. The fundamental aim has been the assessment of comprehensive rehabilitation and the improvement of quality of life, which would allow a faster discharge process for patients over 65 years of age. A transversal and longitudinal assessment has focused on its aims and its results, the reference criteria or quality standards and the contributions made by the working team. The longitudinal analysis shows that the days in hospital are considerably reduced, surgical interventions have increased and the waiting time between admittance and surgery is reduced, and the prescription of a rehabilitation process after surgery and discharges has increased. The transversal analysis reveals differences in length of rehabilitation between the Orthogeriatric Unit patients and the outpatient alternative, proving that a significant improvement and optimisation has been achieved.