Citation

Foo CL, Siu VW, Tan TL, Ding YY, Seow E. Australas. J. Ageing 2012; 31(1): 40-46.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore Geriatric Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Australian Council on the Ageing, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1741-6612.2010.00499.x

PMID

22417153

Abstract

Aim:  To determine the efficacy of geriatric assessment and intervention in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU). Methods:  This was a single-centre, before/after prospective study. The control group received the usual EDOU care. Intervention group received geriatric assessment and intervention before discharge. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. End-points included falls and functional scores obtained via telephone, and unscheduled ED re-attendance and hospitalisation obtained through electronic records. Results:  The study population included 172 control and 315 intervention group patients. A total of 71.7% of patients in the intervention group had hidden needs that required intervention. The intervention group had significantly less ED re-attendance (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.71) and hospitalisation rates (adjusted IRR 0.64, 95% CI 0.51-0.79) at 12 months. Conclusion:  Older patients admitted to an EDOU are an at-risk group and benefit from geriatric assessment before discharge.

Language: en