Hospitalization-Associated Disability in Adults Admitted to a Safety-Net Hospital

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) is a significant concern for older adults.
• Limited data exists on HAD prevalence in safety-net hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of HAD in adults aged 55 and older admitted to a safety-net hospital.
• To analyze the association between age and HAD in this population.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort from the Support from Hospital to Home for Elders trial.
• Inclusion of 583 participants aged 55+ from a safety-net hospital's inpatient services.
• Assessment of new or additional disability in activities of daily living (ADL) at 30 days post-discharge.

Main Results:

• 75.3% of participants were functionally independent at baseline.
• HAD incidence varied by age group, with 61.7% in those 80+ and 27.4% in ages 55-59.
• Only adults over 80 showed a statistically significant increased odds ratio for HAD (aOR=2.45).

Conclusions:

• HAD affects a substantial proportion of older adults in safety-net hospitals, particularly those 80 and older.
• The study suggests that interventions targeting HAD should encompass adults aged 55 and older, not just the oldest.
• Findings highlight the need for age-inclusive strategies to mitigate disability post-hospitalization in safety-net settings.