Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
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Arch Gerontol Geriatr · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyEmergency department fall-related presentations do not trigger fall risk assessment: a gap in care of high-risk outpatient fallers.
We wanted to determine whether women aged 70 years and older, who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a fall and injury, received guideline care within 18 months of presentation. Women aged 70 years and older who presented to the ED with a fall were recorded prospectively from August 1, 2001 to May 1, 2002 (n=226). ⋯ We concluded that most older women who presented to the ED with a fall did not appear to be receiving current guideline care. We propose that future research use a prospective study design to assess whether or not guideline care is being delivered by a variety of health care providers after the patients leave the ED.
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Arch Gerontol Geriatr · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyImpact of age on in-hospital mortality of surgical patients in a German university hospital.
Although the frequency of major surgical procedures in elderly patients is increasing, the impact of age as an independent factor on in-hospital mortality and capacity planning is uncertain. Therefore, we analyzed how age, gender, number of diagnoses, and number of operations per patient are reflecting the demographic changes going on in the last decade. Furthermore, we analyzed the influence of age, main diagnoses, and comorbidities on in-hospital mortality, and cost factors, like duration of in-hospital stay, number of operations, and stay at the intensive care unit using multiple regression analysis. ⋯ Nevertheless, oncologic diseases and pre-existing comorbidities are also significant independent factors for the clinical course and costs resulting from treating elderly patients. We conclude that decisions for surgical treatment should not be solely based on patient's age. The demographic changes in Europe result in an over-proportional increase in expenditures, which should be included when planning the capacities of a surgical department.