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Elderly bed-blockers in a Thai teaching hospital: is it a problem?
S Thamprechavai1, K Somerville, S Jitapunkul
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Elderly patients, particularly those over 60, are more likely to experience prolonged hospital stays due to non-medical reasons, contributing to "bed-blocking". Proactive social work can facilitate early discharge, mitigating this issue.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Hospital Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Elderly individuals frequently face chronic diseases and social issues.
- These factors contribute to extended hospital stays for acute conditions, a phenomenon known as "bed-blocking".
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the prevalence and reasons for prolonged hospital stays among elderly inpatients.
- To compare the 'bed-blocking' phenomenon in elderly versus younger patients.
- To assess the impact of social work interventions on hospital discharge for the elderly.
Main Methods:
- A one-day census of inpatients at Chulalongkorn Thai Red Cross Hospital was conducted.
- Patients were categorized by age (under 60 and 60+ years).
- Reasons and duration of hospital stay were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 34% of the 191 medical inpatients were aged 60 and over.
- Older patients (60+) had significantly higher rates of non-medical reasons for continued hospitalization (35% vs. 21%, p < 0.01).
- Median hospital stay was longer for older patients (11 days) compared to younger patients (8 days).
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients are disproportionately affected by 'bed-blocking' due to non-medical factors.
- Effective social work can expedite discharge for disabled elderly patients.
- Demographic shifts and changing family structures may exacerbate 'bed-blocking' challenges, potentially impacting long-term elderly care outcomes.