Hospital admission profile of older adults

Abstract

doi: 10.5216/ree.v12i3.6865

Increase in the number of adults aged 60 and over has generated changes in the epidemiological profile of the Brazilian population, generating specific demands in terms of care and attention, for its potential biological, psychological and social frailty. In order to meet such demands, qualified interdisciplinary work plus hospital system and outpatient facilities' availability are needed. The study is exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional. It has as objective to identify and discuss the profile of inpatients 60 years and over, admitted to a public, general teaching hospital in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, in the year 2007. From data description 767 older adult admissions were identified. The predominant length of stay for the population under study was 85% (n=651) up to 30 consecutive days followed by 45.3% (n=347) up to 10 days. Most prevalent reported health problems described as cause for admission to hospital were, 23% (n=177) gastrointestinal, 18% (n=138) circulatory, and 11.9% (n=91) cancer. We conclude that according to the significant percentage of hospital admissions, the extended length of stay and the prevalence of gastrointestinal morbidity, there is urgent need of systematization towards the promotion of comprehensive and specific care towards the older clientele.

Descriptors: Hospitalization; Geriatric Nursing; Aged; Health Services for the Aged.