Revista de Prácticas Avanzadas en Enfermería

Admission of Elderly in Emergency Units: Causes and Problems

Abstract

Sharma D, Kaur M, Chaudhary R, Kaur S, Agnihotri M

Background: Elderly population is the most vulnerable population. With the increase in age, there is decline in the body function and eventually the person becomes more prone to health problems.

Objective: To assess the causes and problems of elderly people visiting emergency units of a tertiary care centre.

Methodology: Using purposive sampling technique, 300 subjects with 100 each from emergency medicine, surgery and trauma units were enrolled in the study. Primarily the informants were the patients and in case the patients were not able to communicate, the information was obtained from the caregivers. The socio-demographic profile of the subjects and the physical, social, financial and the organizational setup problems in emergency being faced by them were noted.

Results: Mean age of patients was 68.18 yrs. Maximum admissions in medicine unit were because of cardiovascular problems and in the surgery unit gastrointestinal system problems were predominantly more. However, in trauma unit, 60% subjects were admitted with musculoskeletal problems e.g. fracture of upper and lower limbs. Hypertension was the leading co-morbidity in the subjects of all the three units. After approaching the respective units, 93% subjects in medicine, 83% subjects in surgical unit and 86% subjects in trauma were checked within one hour of their arrival in emergency. A total of 63% in medicine emergency unit, 48% subjects in surgical unit and 99% in trauma unit were not able to maintain their hygiene. In medicine 60% subjects, in surgical unit 59% subjects, however in trauma unit 53% subjects were not able to bear their financial expenses. As per organizational setup problems, insufficient beds and unsatisfactory sitting arrangement for relatives were the main problems reported by majority of the respondents in all the three units.

Conclusion: There is need to develop strategies to make the emergency departments more senior friendly.