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[Iatrogeny in hospitalized elderly patients]
E T Carvalho-Filho1, L Saporetti, M A Souza
1Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, SP-Brasil.
Revista De Saude Publica
|August 12, 1998
Summary
Iatrogenic complications are frequent in hospitalized elderly patients, with many potentially preventable. This study highlights the need to identify causes and develop strategies to reduce these adverse events in geriatric care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Patient Safety
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Hospitalized elderly patients face significant risks of iatrogenic complications.
- Understanding these risks is crucial for improving geriatric care quality.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the incidence and types of iatrogenic complications in hospitalized elderly patients.
- To identify factors contributing to these complications.
Summary:
- A review of 96 elderly patients revealed that 43.7% experienced at least one iatrogenic illness.
- Complications from therapeutic procedures (58.9%), particularly drugs (32.1%), were most common, followed by diagnostic tests (17.9%) and other factors like falls (23.2%).
- Iatrogenic events were linked to longer hospital stays and, in some cases, contributed to patient mortality.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the high prevalence of iatrogenic disorders in the elderly, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies.
- Identifying and mitigating preventable iatrogenic complications can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in geriatric populations.