A measure of the fulfillment of health needs

Female patients, sixty-five of age and over, admitted to acute medical and psychiatric wards of a municipal hospital were observed directly and unobtrusively for a three hour time period every other day during the first two weeks of hospitalization. The behaviors of the patients and of those who interacted with them were recorded and later categorized according to fifteen activities defined as representing basic health needs. Behaviors were compared according to the outcome of hospitalization, discharge, transfer to another ward or institution, or death. Differences which distinguished patients who were discharged from those who died were found in the activities of movement, comunication, and learning. Behaviors observed at different points in time during hospitalization also were compared. This study is the first step in the development of an instrument to measure the perceived satisfaction of health needs of geriatric patients in institutions.