The characteristics and prognosis of patients fulfilling the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol in a medical admission unit; a prospective observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background To examine the prognostic significance of fulfilling at least one of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) criteria. Methods Prospective observational cohort study at medical admission units at a regional teaching hospital in Denmark. 3,050 consecutively admitted patients were included, median age 66 (IQR: 50-77), 48% female. We assessed the fulfilment of the AEP criteria and mortality data, length of stay, readmissions and co-morbidity. We analyzed the association between day of admission and time of day and compared the opinion of the admitting doctors and nurses on the relevancy of admission. Results 61.9% of the patients fulfilled the AEP criteria. Patients fulfilling were older (p Conclusions Fulfilment of the AEP criteria adequately reflect increased morbidity and mortality of acutely admitted medical patients.