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KMID : 1039620120020030241
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Korean Journal of Family Practice
2012 Volume.2 No. 3 p.241 ~ p.249
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Characteristics and Illness Behaviors of the Elderly Patients Who Visited Emergency Department by Emergency Medical Services
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Choi Kwang-Jin
Lee Byoung-Cheon
Sun Mao-Lung
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Abstract
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Background: Patterns of utilization of emergency medical services by the elderly are poorly understood. According to previous articles, the severity of illness was affected by the means of transportation and old age in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to further assess the relation between illness behavior and illness severity in elderly patients who visited the emergency department by 119 rescue services.
Methods: This study was carried out from March 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009. We performed a retrospective study on all ED adult patients (≥20 years) by 119 rescue services at Sung-Ae Medical Center. The appropriateness of the 119 escue data was based on the national emergency department information system and medical records.
Results: During this period, 11,038 emergency patients visited the ED and 1,249 patients were conveyed by 119 rescue services. Six hundred and forty-nine patients were admitted. The admission rate of elderly patients is 61.3%, and 12.3% in the intensive care unit. In illness behavior, 51.9% of elderly patients arrived within 3 hours, compared with 71.9% of nonelderly. Regarding disposition (i.e., emergency operation, transfer to other hospital, died in the ED), hospital time, (i.e., stay time, decision time in the ED), and illness behavior, the elderly had significantly different and more severe presentations in the ED compared with nonelderly.
Conclusion: We suggest that this study may be helpful to the establishment and assessment of illness severity. Understanding the nature of the geriatric patient’s complaint or diagnosis will be helpful in indicating education programs for ED providers. Also, social support for the elderly by a well-balanced system of health and social welfare should reduce inequalities, lowering fi nancial burdens. Medico-social support and reducing the severity of disease are indispensable to an active, independent life for the aged.
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KEYWORD
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Aged, Emergency Department
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