Morbidity and mortality pattern of hospitalized elderly patients in YGH (1985-1987)

ABSTRACT

A record analysis of all elderly patients admitted to YGH during 1985 to 1987 was done to determine the morbidity pattern of hospitalized elderly patients, aged 55 years and above. There was an average admission rate of 7000 patients per year constituting approximately 18 percent of all admissions. The mean duration of stay in hospital for each hospitalized person was approximately 19 to 21 days. The most common morbidity condition for admission to hospital according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) grouping is neoplasms in 18.9 percent of admissions, followed by diseases of the circulatory system in 18.7 percent and injuries or poisonings in 16.9 percent, digestive system diseases 12.8 percent, and other ill defined causes led to be 21.8 percent. The case fatality for hospitalized elderly is 12.8 percent for the three years. Implications of the study in planning for geriatric services are discussed.