[Documentation of rehabilitated patients at a medical geriatric clinic]

A total of 973 data sheets and case histories of patients who were discharged in 1983 from the Medical-Geriatric Clinic of the Albertinen-Haus in Hamburg have been evaluated. The patients either died at the clinic or were transferred to other hospitals or homes for the aged. Out of the total of 973 patients, 290 (29.8%) were male and 683 (70.2%) were female. The average age was 76.36 years. 62.5% of the examined patients were transferred from general hospitals (608). 35.14% were either admitted from their homes, homes for the aged and nursing homes, or the geriatric day care centre. On examination 80 patients were found to be dependent on long-term nursing care. A total of 64 (6.58%) patients died. Patients stayed on average 38 days. With 31.75% hemiplegia was the most frequent diagnosis. Married men were found to be more dependent on nursing care and their rate of mortality (9.65%) was higher than that of women (5.27%). However, they were discharged earlier. Otherwise older single women were admitted to nursing homes or long-term nursing wards more frequently, although they were in a relatively better state of health. In 73% of all cases the estimated success of rehabilitation was positive, and in 23% negative, because no improvement of the general state of health was noticed. The main diagnosis and the state of health on admission were determining factors for evaluating the success of rehabilitation. If the general condition was poor on admission, it correlated with a significaning longer stay, a deteriorated state of health on discharge, poor rehabilitation and a higher rate of mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)