Study Outcomes - Study 6

Post Prostatectomy N = 24	100%	Reduction in readmissions in less than 31 days post discharge	500-bed hospital, distant suburb of Detroit, MI
	100%	Reduction in returns to the ER in less than 31 days post discharge

ANNUAL PROJECTIONS N/A

Control group = 12	17%	readmissions for infection or complication
	92%	returns to the ER
SelfCareKit^TM group = 12	0%	readmission for infection or complication
	0%	returns to the ER

Control Group and SelfCareKit^TM group were carried out simultaneously. Selection criteria: patients discharged to home or home care. Data collected from medical records.

HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of any study is to determine the likelihood that you, if you adopt this intervention, will have the same results. When the change in study results from "before" to "after" is very small, the sample size must be large for a significant probability of success. When the results show a large change, a small sample size confirms a high probability that if you adopt the program, you will get similar results.
The sample size for statistical significance is normally 15 per group. However, this data does in fact suggest a trend because (1) the same nurse did both groups' discharge preparation during the same time period and (2) the difference between the "before" and the "after" is so extreme. There may be a temptation to be distracted by what may be an unusually high rate of returns to the ER. It must be noted that whatever the problem was that caused the high rate of return, it was solved by SelfCareKit^TM.