Emergency department admissions and economic costs burden related to ambulatory care sensitive conditions in older adults living in care homes

Objectives: To assess the frequency of emergency department admissions (EDA) for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and non-ACSC among older adults living in care homes (CH), to describe and compare their demographic and clinical characteristics, the outcomes of the hospitalisation process...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Afonso-Argilés, Francisco Javier, Comas Serrano, Mercè, Castells, Xavier, Cirera Lorenzo, Isabel, García Pérez, Dolors, Pujadas Lafarga, Teresa, Ichart Tomás, Xavier, Puig-Campmany, Mireia, Vena Martínez, Ana B., Renom-Guiteras, Anna, Caregency Group
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/68503
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/68503
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rceng.2023.10.001
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Aged
Ambulatory care sensitive conditions
Care home
Hospitalisation
Descripción
Sumario:Objectives: To assess the frequency of emergency department admissions (EDA) for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and non-ACSC among older adults living in care homes (CH), to describe and compare their demographic and clinical characteristics, the outcomes of the hospitalisation process and the associated costs. Method: This multicenter, retrospective and observational study evaluated 2444 EDAs of older adults ≥ 65 years old living in care homes in 5 emergency departments in Catalonia (Spain) by ACSC and non-ACSC, in 2017. Sociodemographic variables, prior functional and cognitive status, and information on diagnosis and hospitalisation were collected. Additionally, the costs related with the EDAs were calculated, as well as a sensitivity analysis using different assumptions of decreased admissions due to ACSC. Results: A total of 2444 ED admissions were analysed. The patients' mean (SD) age was 85.9 (7.2) years. The frequency of ACSC-EDA and non-ACSC-EDA was 56.6% and 43.4%, respectively. Severe dependency and cognitive impairment were present in 56.6% and 78%, respectively, with no differences between the two groups. The three most frequent ACSC were falls/trauma (13.8%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma (11.4%) and urinary tract infection (7.4%). The average cost per ACSC-EDA was є1,408.24. Assuming a 60% reduction of ACSC-EDA, the estimated cost savings would be є1.2 million. Conclusions: Emergency admissions for ACSC from care homes have a significant impact on both frequency and costs. Reducing these conditions through targeted interventions could redirect the avoided costs towards improving care support in residential settings.