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Factors predicting emergency room utilization in a 70-year-old population
G Ginsberg1, A Israeli, A Cohen
1Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|August 1, 1996
Summary
About 23% of elderly Jerusalem residents used the emergency room (ER) due to heart disease, asthma, and other issues. Factors like prior hospitalizations and distance to a doctor influenced ER visits.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Emergency room (ER) utilization is a significant concern in elderly populations.
- Understanding predictors of ER use is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors associated with emergency room (ER) utilization among 70-year-old residents in Jerusalem.
- To identify key predictors of ER use for potential healthcare budget allocation.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of 605 elderly Jerusalem residents was surveyed.
- Multiple and logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of ER use.
- Data was collected via postal questionnaires or phone interviews.
Main Results:
- Approximately 23% of the study population utilized the ER in the year preceding the survey.
- Common reasons for ER visits included heart diseases, asthma, renal disorders, psychiatric issues, headaches, and nocturia.
- Predictors of increased ER use included prior hospital admissions, medication use (sleeping pills), driving, distance to general practitioner, and lower self-assessed health. Help from children also increased ER use, while cognitive problems decreased it.
Conclusions:
- Elderly ER utilization is influenced by a complex interplay of medical conditions, social factors, and healthcare access.
- Identifying specific predictors allows for targeted interventions and improved healthcare resource management in geriatric populations.
- The study highlights the importance of considering social support and cognitive status in understanding healthcare seeking behaviors among older adults.