Use of a Brief Phone Call After ED Discharge

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a phone call from a nurse within 1-3 days after discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) decreases return visits to the ED/ hospital admissions/ death (combined outcome) in patients age 65 and above. As secondary outcomes, time to follow up appointment with physician and economic impact of this intervention will be assessed. Patients 65 years of age and older will be randomized following discharge from the ED into one of two groups. Group 1(Intervention) will receive a phone call collecting information about understanding of ED discharge instructions and guiding patient through the discharge instructions, and Group 2 (Placebo) will receive a follow up phone call for a satisfaction survey. We hypothesize return visits to the ED and readmission to the hospital will decrease as a result of the nurse phone call intervention.