Exploring variation in length of hospital stay among an elderly cohort of acute surgical admissions.
Ir Med J
; 117(6): 973, 2024 06 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39041437
Aim Increased length of stay (LOS) indicates complex health care needs. It is unclear if age alone can be used as an indicator of longer hospital stays. Methods Retrospective review of acute surgical admissions (2016-2018) was performed, dividing data into three age groups (Group 1 (ages 6574), Group 2 (ages 7584) and Group 3 ( aged 85 and above). Effect of the independent variables; age, Groups of Episodes with similar diagnosis (GESD) and surgical interventions was noted on the LOS as well as discharge disposition and mortality. Subset analysis was performed for admissions with above average LOS. Results 1880 (27.7%) patients (total admissions=6793) were analysed. Mean LOS in each age group was 12.5, 13.3 and 12.5 days respectively (p=0.68). There was a mean 13 day increase with acute surgical intervention under General Anaesthesia, in comparison to 7.3 days and 5 days for Interventional Radiology and emergency endoscopy. 1496 (79.6%) patients were discharged home. 118 (66.0%) patients transferred to convalescent centres were over 75 years. Among those with above average LOS no significant correlation was found between sex, diagnosis, interventions with longer LOS. Discussion In acute settings, variables other than age are important to understand the variation in LOS. LOS is significantly influenced by diagnosis and acute intervention. Once patients exceed average LOS, resources should be explored to facilitate discharge planning.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Tiempo de Internación
Límite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ir Med J
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Irlanda