Abstract
Introduction: The Northern Patient Watch (NPW) program aimed to reduce hospital resource use by providing proactive support through peer health navigators working alongside health professionals. This study assessed the impact of NPW on hospital admissions, bed-days, emergency department presentations, and outpatient non-attendance rates, compared to propensity score-matched controls.
Research Method: A propensity score matching design compared NPW enrolees with controls over 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods. Hospital resource utilisation was the primary outcome, with secondary outcomes including outpatient appointment non-attendance rates. Statistical methods addressed both normally and non-normally distributed variables.
Results: NPW enrolees used fewer hospital bed-days at all time points compared to matched controls, with the greatest effect at 12 months (median 2.00 [CI 0.00, 8.00] vs. 4.00 [CI 1.00, 14.00]). Admissions were significantly lower at all time points, halving at 12 months (median 1.00 [CI 0.00, 4.00] vs. 2.00 [CI 1.00, 4.00]). Emergency presentations were lower in the NPW group but not statistically significant. Outpatient non-attendance rates were significantly reduced (12 months: 44.8% vs. 55.6%), showing improved healthcare engagement.
Conclusion: The NPW programme reduced admissions, bed-days, and outpatient non-attendance, suggesting peer health navigators supported by health professionals improve resource use and patient engagement.