Analysis of Hospitalized Geriatric Patients from an Emergency Department

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in the geriatric population in industrialized countries also increases the rate at which this group utilizes emergency services. Evaluation of this patient group is not specific to a single discipline, but requires a multidisciplinary approach. Information obtained by examining emergency service use among geriatric patients can inform us of approaches to improve hospital efficiency and potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality rates. Metarial and Method: This study investigated the retrospective records of geriatric patients who presented to emergency services during 2016 XXXTraining and Research Hospital, Turkey. Demographic characteristics, diagnoses, hospitalization rates, hospitalization according to clinics, seasonal characteristics, duration of hospital, and patient outcomes were evaluated. Study data were evaluated using the SPSS 20.00 statistical program. Results: A total of 314.178 patients opted for emergency services during 2016, and 29.163 (9.2%) were 65 years old and older. Among these patients, 10.545 were hospitalized, of whom 4.246 (40.2%) were aged 65 years or older. The most frequently utilized hospital units were the cardiology (n = 723, 17.02%), the neurology (n = 717, 16.88%), and the chest diseases (n = 674, 15.87%). Discussion and Conclusion : The geriatric population requires that necessary changes should be made in healthcare structures. Our study, which evaluates hospitalization rates and health status in geriatric population at a provincial which can also provide a regional level, can help in making patient admission, follow-up, and rehabilitation more comprehensive.

Keywords

• geriatric assessment
• emergency department
• hospitalization
• geriatrik değerlendirm
• acil servis
• hastaneye yatış