Suzanne Michelle Rhodes1, Asad E Patanwala2, Julia Katherine Cremer3, Erica Siovhan Marshburn3, Michael Herman4, Farshad Mazda Shirazi5, Patricia Harrison-Monroe6, Christopher Wendel7, Mindy Fain7, Jane Mohler7, Arthur B Sanders8. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Division of Geriatrics, General Medicine, and Palliative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Arizona Center on Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 2. College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 3. College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 4. Department of Pharmacy, Providence St Peters Hospital, Olympia, Washington. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Center for Toxicology Pharmacology Education and Research, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona. 6. Arizona Center on Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 7. Division of Geriatrics, General Medicine, and Palliative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Arizona Center on Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 8. Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Behavioral health (BH)-related visits to the emergency department (ED) by older adults are increasing. This population has unique challenges to providing quality, timely care. OBJECTIVE: To characterize older adults with BH-related ED visits and determine risk factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) and adverse events (AEs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective electronic health record review of all patients ≥65 years who presented to our ED from September 2011 to August 2012 for BH-related complaints. Sociodemographic, clinical, and utilization data were tested for association with LOS and AE. RESULTS: The 213 elder BH patients represented 4% of the 5267 total elder visits during the study period. Median age was 75 (interquartile range [IQR] 70-82); largely white (84.5%), female (58.7%), and non-Hispanic (69.5%). There was a median of two comorbidities (IQR 1-3), and 46.9% were cognitively impaired. Most (71.5%) were being evaluated on an involuntary basis. Median LOS was 16.2 h (IQR 9.7-29.7). Increased LOS was associated with involuntary status (12.4 h, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 6.4-18.4); use of restraints (11.9 h, 95% CI 5.7-18.2); and failed discharge (28.8 h, 95% CI 21.2-36.6). For every 10 additional hours in the ED, the risk for an AEs (p = .002) or potential AEs (p = .01) increased 20%. CONCLUSION: Elderly ED patients with BH complaints had high rates of cognitive impairment and multiple comorbidities. LOS was prolonged, and there were multiple contributing factors including involuntary status, chemical or physical restraint, and failed discharge. Patients with longer LOS were at increased risk of an AE or potentially AEs.
BACKGROUND: Behavioral health (BH)-related visits to the emergency department (ED) by older adults are increasing. This population has unique challenges to providing quality, timely care. OBJECTIVE: To characterize older adults with BH-related ED visits and determine risk factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) and adverse events (AEs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective electronic health record review of all patients ≥65 years who presented to our ED from September 2011 to August 2012 for BH-related complaints. Sociodemographic, clinical, and utilization data were tested for association with LOS and AE. RESULTS: The 213 elder BHpatients represented 4% of the 5267 total elder visits during the study period. Median age was 75 (interquartile range [IQR] 70-82); largely white (84.5%), female (58.7%), and non-Hispanic (69.5%). There was a median of two comorbidities (IQR 1-3), and 46.9% were cognitively impaired. Most (71.5%) were being evaluated on an involuntary basis. Median LOS was 16.2 h (IQR 9.7-29.7). Increased LOS was associated with involuntary status (12.4 h, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 6.4-18.4); use of restraints (11.9 h, 95% CI 5.7-18.2); and failed discharge (28.8 h, 95% CI 21.2-36.6). For every 10 additional hours in the ED, the risk for an AEs (p = .002) or potential AEs (p = .01) increased 20%. CONCLUSION: Elderly ED patients with BH complaints had high rates of cognitive impairment and multiple comorbidities. LOS was prolonged, and there were multiple contributing factors including involuntary status, chemical or physical restraint, and failed discharge. Patients with longer LOS were at increased risk of an AE or potentially AEs.
Authors: Christian Lachner; Michael J Maniaci; Tyler F Vadeboncoeur; Nancy L Dawson; Teresa A Rummans; Archana Roy; Lorrina L Hall; M Caroline Burton Journal: Int J Emerg Med Date: 2020-02-03