Hospitalized Older Persons Evaluation (HOPE) Study, 1991-1993: [California]

The HOPE study was a multi-center randomized clinical trial mounted to determine the effects of hospital inpatient consultative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) under typical practice conditions on selected patient health and health services utilization outcomes. The main outcome measures were functional status, health status, mortality, rehospitalization, and total use of health care services for hospital patients 65 years of age and older. Functional status was evaluated by questions about limitations in patients' activities of daily living due to health problems. Also included were items covering living arrangements (with whom and where), ethnicity, education, and marital status. Health status questions covered patients' perceptions of mental health and current physical health. The functional and health status of patients was measured prior to CGA treatment and randomization, again at 3 months post-randomization, and at 12 months post-randomization. Functional and health status data are included in Parts 3-8. Health services utilization data (Parts 9-15) cover patient use of medical services such as urgent care, emergency room, radiology, durable medical equipment, and medications (prescribed and over the counter). Mortality information (Part 17) includes date of lost contact or death, and data source of survival status. Hospitalization measures (Part 18) include date of admission and discharge, admittance source diagnoses and procedures, and inpatient/outpatient status.