Characteristics and Mortality Risk Factors in Geriatric Hospital Patients visiting One Region-wide Emergency Department

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the clinical characteristics and mortality risk factors of geriatric hospital patients who visited one region-wide emergency department (ED). It's basically meant to develop criteria for the patient management of geriatric hospitals and to provide related information. METHODS: A retrospective research study was implemented using electronic medical records. The subjects in this study included 484 geriatric hospital patients who were selected from among 15,994 patients that visited one region-wide ED between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015. RESULTS: There were significant differences in death, a change for the better and no change for the better, which were results of treatment, according to the length of stay in hospital, hospitalization in a general ward, not having an operation or surgery, the presence or absence of malignant neoplasm, the insertion of foley catheter, intubation, ventilator and the insertion of central venous catheter. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that a patient management system is necessary in geriatric hospitals and that competent healthcare workers who can properly respond to emergencies are required as well.