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Predictors of Immediate and 6‐Month Outcomes in Hospitalized Elderly Patients
Author(s) -
Narain Prakash,
Rubenstein Laurence Z.,
Wieland G. Darryl,
Rosbrook Brad,
Strome L. Sandra,
Pietruszka Fern,
Morley John E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1988.tb04259.x
Subject(s) - medicine , logistic regression , multivariate analysis , emergency medicine , nursing homes , activities of daily living , prospective cohort study , intensive care medicine , physical therapy , nursing
This article presents results of a prospective multivariate study of hospitalized elderly patients at an acute‐care Veterans Administration (VA) hospital to identify factors on hospital admission predictive of several short‐ and long‐term outcomes: in‐hospital and 6‐month mortality, immediate and delayed nursing home admission, length of hospital stay, and 6‐month rehospitalization. All patients aged 70 years and over admitted to acute‐care beds on the medical service wards during a 1‐year period were included in the study (N = 396). Factors most predictive of 6‐month mortality (using logistic regression) were decreased functional status, admitting diagnosis, and de creased mental status. Factors most predictive of nursing home admission were decreased functional status, living location, and decreased mental status. Functional status was a stronger predictor of length of stay, mortality, and nursing home placement than was principal admitting diagnosis — of relevance to the current emphasis on diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs). These data may be helpful in improving discharge planning, in resource allocation, and in targeting patients for different specialized geriatric programs.