Epidemiological and clinical management aspects of pneumonias diagnosed in the emergency department in elderly patients in Spain: Results of the EDEN-29 study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of pneumonia diagnosis in elderly patients in Spanish emergency departments (ED), need for hospitalization, adverse events and predictive capacity of biomarkers commonly used in the ED. METHODS: Patients ≥65 years with pneumonia seen in 52 Spanish EDs were included. We recorded in-hospitaland 30-day mortality as adverse events, as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission among hospitalizedpatients. Association of 10 predefined variables with adverse events was calculated and expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), as well as predictive capacity of 5 commonly used biomarkers in the ED (leukocytes, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, glucose, creatinine) was investigated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). RESULTS: 591 patients with pneumonia attended in the ED were included (annual incidence of 18,4 per 1000 inhabitants). A total of 78.0% were hospitalized. Overall, 30-day mortality was 14.2% and in-hospital mortality was 12.9%. Functional dependency was associated with both events (OR=4.453, 95%CI=2.361-8.400; and OR=3.497, 95%CI=1.578-7.750, respectively) as well as severe comorbidity (2.344, 1.363-4.030, and 2.463, 1.252-4.846, respectively). Admission to the ICU during hospitalization occurred in 3.5%, with no associated factors. The predictive capacity of biomarkers was only moderate for creatinine for ICU admission (AUC-ROC=0.702, 95% CI=0.536-0.869) and for leukocytes for post-discharge adverse event (0.669, 0.540-0.798). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia is a frequent diagnosis in elderly patients consulting in the ED. Their functional dependence and comorbidity is the factor most associated with adverse events. The biomarkers analyzed do not have a good predictive capacity for adverse events.

Influence of income on in-hospital mortality in older adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the EDEN-33 study. / Influencia de la renta económica en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de las personas mayores durante la primera ola de la pandemia por COVID-19: resultados del estudio EDEN-33.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether income was associated with unexpected in-hospital mortality in older patients treated in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one public health system hospital emergency departments in Spain voluntarily participated in the study. Together the hospitals covered 25% of the population aged 65 years or older included in all patient registers during a week in the pre-pandemic period (April 1-7, 2019) and a week during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 30 to April 5, 2020). We estimated a patient's gross income as the amount published for the postal code of the patient's address. We then calculated the standardized gross income (SGI) by dividing the patient's estimated income by the mean for the corresponding territory (Spanish autonomous community). The existence and strength of an association between the SGI and in-hospital mortality was evaluated by means of restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves adjusted for 10 patient characteristics at baseline. Odds ratios (ORs) for each income level were expressed in relation to a reference SGI of 1 (the mean income for the corresponding autonomous community). We compared the COVID-19 and pre-pandemic periods by means of first-order interactions. RESULTS: Of the 35 280 patients attended in the 2 periods, gross income could be ascertained for 21 180 (60%), 15437 in the pre-pandemic period and 5746 during the COVID-19 period. SGIs were slightly higher for patients included before the pandemic (1.006 vs 0.994; P = .012). In-hospital mortality was 5.6% overall and higher during the pandemic (2.8% pre-pandemic vs 13.1% during COVID-19; P .001). The adjusted RCS curves showed that associations between income and mortality differed between the 2 periods (interaction P = .004). Whereas there were no significant income-influenced differences in mortality before the pandemic, mortality increased during the pandemic in the lowest-income population (SGI 0.5 OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32-3.37) and in higher-income populations (SGI 1.5 OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68, and SGI 2 OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.23). We found no significant differences between patients with COVID-19 and those with other diagnoses (interaction P = .667). CONCLUSION: The gross income of patients attended in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments, estimated according to a patient's address and postal code, was associated with in-hospital mortality, which was higher for patients with the lowest and 2 higher income levels. The reasons for these associations might be different for each income level and should be investigated in the future.

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el nivel económico durante la primera ola pandémica tuvo una influencia diferente a la esperable en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de los pacientes mayores atendidos en los servicios de urgencias (SU) de los hospitales públicos españoles. METODO: Cincuenta y un SU públicos españoles que participaron voluntariamente y que dan cobertura al 25% de la población incluyeron todos los registros de pacientes de edad 65 años atendidos durante una semana del periodo preCOVID (1-4-2019 a 7-4-2019) y una semana del periodo COVID (30-3-2020 a 5-4-2020). Se identificó la renta bruta (RB) asignada al código postal de residencia de cada paciente y se calculó la RB normalizada (RBN) dividiendo aquella por la RB media de su comunidad autónoma. La existencia y fuerza de la relación entre RBN y mortalidad intrahospitalaria se determinó mediante curvas spline cúbicas restringidas (SCR) ajustadas por 10 características basales del paciente. Las OR para cada situación económica se expresó en relación con una RBN de 1 (referencia, renta correspondiente a la media de la comunidad autónoma). La comparación entre periodo COVID y no COVID se realizó mediante el estudio de interacción de primer grado. RESULTADOS: De los 35.280 registros de pacientes atendidos en ambos periodos, se disponía de la RB en 21.180 (60%): 15.437 del periodo preCOVID y 5.746 del periodo COVID. La RBN de los pacientes incluidos fue discretamente superior en el periodo preCOVID (1,006 versus 0,994; p = 0,012). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 5,6%, y fue superior durante el periodo COVID (2,8% versus 13,1%; p 0,001). Las curvas SCR ajustadas mostraron una asociación entre nivel económico y mortalidad diferente entre ambos periodos (p interacción = 0,004): en el periodo preCOVID no hubo diferencias significativas de mortalidad en función de la RBN, mientras que en el periodo COVID la mortalidad se incrementó en rentas bajas (OR = 1,82, IC 95% = 1,32-3,37 para RBN de 0,5) y en rentas altas (OR = 1,32, IC 95% = 1,04-1,68 y OR = 1,92, IC 95% = 1,14-3,23 para RBN de 1,5 y 2, respectivamente), sin diferencias significativas entre pacientes con COVID y con otros diagnósticos (p interacción = 0,667). CONCLUSIONES: Durante la primera ola de la pandemia COVID, la RB asignada al código postal de residencia de los pacientes atendidos en los SU públicos españoles se asoció con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria, que aumentó en pacientes de rentas bajas y altas. Las razones de estas asociaciones pueden ser distintas para cada segmento económico y deben ser investigadas en el fututo.

Targeted screening for human immunodeficiency virus infection in Spanish emergency departments: an analysis of epidemiologic and economic impact. / Cribado dirigido del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en los servicios de urgencias en España: análisis de las consecuencias epidemiológicas y económicas.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential epidemiologic and economic impact of applying an HIV screening protocol in hospital emergency departments (ED) and compare it to current clinical practice in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We estimated the cumulative incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and associated costs in Spain for a 20-year time horizon based on a model comprised of various health states with different risks for HIV transmission. The impact of current clinical practices in Spain, in which there is no established protocol for HIV screening, was compared to the potential impact of applying a targeted screening protocol in persons who come to the ED with certain conditions suggestive of HIV infection (diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection, mononucleosis, herpes zoster infection, community-acquired pneumonia; practice of chemsex, and need for postexposure prophylaxis). RESULTS: Screening all persons with a condition suggestive of HIV infection in hospital EDs would require an investment of €20 million over 20 years, but it would prevent 13 615 new infections (reducing the incidence by 20.6%, down from 66 265 to 52 650 cases) in comparison with the current diagnostic approaches. Such a reduction in the incidence of HIV infection would potentially save €4411 million over 20 years, giving a return of €224 per euro invested. CONCLUSION: A protocol for targeted screening of persons in circumstances suggestive of risk for HIV infection in Spain would increase diagnoses, avert new infections, and generate savings in comparison with screening practices currently in effect.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del análisis fue evaluar el impacto epidemiológico y económico de protocolizar el cribado dirigido del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) comparado con la actual práctica clínica en España. METODO: Mediante un modelo formado por varios estados de salud con diferentes riesgos de transmisión se estimó la incidencia acumulada de infecciones por VIH y los costes asociados, en 20 años, en España. El análisis comparó la protocolización del cribado dirigido a personas que presentan alguna condición indicadora (CI) de infección por VIH (diagnóstico de enfermedad de transmisión sexual, síndrome mononucleósido, herpes zóster, neumonía adquirida en la comunidad, práctica del chemsex y profilaxis postexposición) que acuden a los SUH frente a la actual práctica clínica en España en la que el cribado del VIH no está protocolizado. RESULTADOS: El cribado dirigido a personas con alguna CI de VIH en los servicios de urgencias requeriría una inversión de 20 millones de euros en 20 años, pero evitaría 13.615 nuevas infecciones (de 66.265 a 52.650 casos; ­20,6%) comparado con la actual estrategia de diagnóstico. La reducción de la incidencia de VIH supondría unos ahorros potenciales de 4.411 millones de euros en 2 décadas, con un retorno económico de 224 € por euro invertido. CONCLUSIONES: Protocolizar el cribado dirigido a personas con alguna CI de VIH en los SUH en España podría incrementar el diagnóstico, evitar nuevas infecciones de VIH y generar ahorros versus el cribado no protocolizado realizado en la práctica clínica actual.

Sociodemographic characteristics, functional status, and health resource use of older patients treated in Spanish emergency departments: a description of the EDEN cohort. / Características sociodemográficas, funcionales y consumo de recursos de la población mayor atendida en los servicios de urgencias españoles: una aproximación desde la cohorte EDEN.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of and the health care resources used to treat patients aged 65 years or older who come to hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Spain, according to age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied the phase-1 data for the EDEN cohort (Emergency Department and Elder Needs). Forty Spanish EDs collected data on all patients aged 65 years or older who were treated on the first 7 days in April 2019. We registered information on 6 sociodemographic and 5 function variables for all patients. For health resource use we used 6 diagnostic, 13 therapeutic, and 5 physical structural variables, for a total of 24 variables. Differences were analyzed according to age in blocks of 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 18 374 patients with a median age of 78 years were included; 55% were women. Twenty-seven percent arrived by ambulance, 71% had not previously been seen by a physician, and 13% lived alone without assistance. Ten percent had a high level of functional dependence, and 14% had serious comorbidity. Resources used most often were blood analysis (in 60%) and radiology (59%), analgesics (25%), intravenous fluids (21%), antibiotics (14%), oxygen (13%), and bronchodilators (11%). Twenty-six percent were kept under observation in the ED, 26% were admitted to wards, and 2% were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). The median stay in the ED was 3.5 hours, and the median hospital stay was 7 days. Sociodemographic characteristics changed according to age. Functional dependence worsened with age, and resource requirements increased in general. However, benzodiazepine use was unaffected, while the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ICU admission decreased. CONCLUSION: The functional dependence of older patients coming to EDs increases with age and is associated with a high level of health care resource use, which also increases with age. Planners should take into consideration the characteristics of the older patients and the proportion of the caseload they represent when arranging physical spaces and designing processes for a specific ED.

OBJETIVO: Investigar las características sociodemográficas y consumo de recursos de los pacientes de 65 o más años que consultan en servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) en España, y su modificación por grupos etarios. METODO: Se utilizaron datos de la cohorte EDEN obtenidos en fase 1 (Emergency Department and Elder Needs). Cuarenta SUH españoles incluyeron todos los pacientes de $ 65 años atendidos del 1-4-2019 al 7-4-2019 (7 días). Se analizaron 6 características sociodemográficas, 5 funcionales y 24 referidas a consumo de recursos (6 diagnósticos, 13 terapéuticos, 5 estructurales) y sus cambios a medida que avanza la edad (agrupada en bloques de 5 años). RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 18.374 pacientes (mediana edad: 78 años; 55% mujeres). El 27% acude a urgencias en ambulancia, el 71% sin consulta médica previa y el 13% vive solo sin cuidadores. Funcionalmente, el 10% tiene dependencia grave y el 14% comorbilidad grave. La solicitud de analítica sanguínea (60% de casos) y radiología (59%) destaca entre el consumo de recursos diagnósticos, y el uso de analgésicos (25%), sueroterapia (21%), antibioticoterapia (14%), oxigenoterapia (13%) y broncodilatadores (11%), entre los terapéuticos. El 26% requiere observación en urgencias, el 26% hospitalización y el 2% cuidados intensivos. La mediana de estancia en urgencias es de 3:30 horas y la de hospitalización es de 7 días. Las características sociodemográficas se modifican con la edad, las funcionales empeoran y el consumo de recursos aumenta (excepto benzodiacepinas, que no se modifica, y antinflamatorios no esteroideos y cuidados intensivos, que disminuye). CONCLUSIONES: Las características funcionales de la población mayor que consulta en los SUH empeora a medida que su edad avanza, y se asocia a un consumo de recursos alto que también se incrementa con la edad. Las características de esta población y su proporción en un determinado SUH deben tenerse en cuenta en su planificación estructural y funcional.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital emergency departments: results of a survey of departments in 2020 - the Spanish ENCOVUR study. / Impacto organizativo de la pandemia COVID-19 de 2020 en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios españoles: resultados del estudio ENCOVUR.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the organization of Spanish hospital emergency departments (EDs). To explore differences between Spanish autonomous communities or according to hospital size and disease incidence in the area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey of the heads of 283 EDs in hospitals belonging to or affiliated with Spain's public health service. Respondents evaluated the pandemic's impact on organization, resources, and staff absence from work in March and April 2020. Assessments were for 15-day periods. Results were analyzed overall and by autonomous community, hospital size, and local population incidence rates. RESULTS: A total of 246 (87%) responses were received. The majority of the EDs organized a triage system, first aid, and observation wards; areas specifically for patients suspected of having COVID-19 were newly set apart. The nursing staff was increased in 83% of the EDs (with no subgroup differences), and 59% increased the number of physicians (especially in large hospitals and locations where the COVID-19 incidence was high). Diagnostic tests for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were the resource the EDs missed most: 55% reported that tests were scarce often or very often. Other resources reported to be scarce were FPP2 and FPP3 masks (38% of the EDs), waterproof protective gowns (34%), and space (32%). More than 5% of the physicians, nurses, or other emergency staff were on sick leave 20%, 19%, and 16% of the time. These deficiencies were greatest during the last half of March, except for tests, which were most scarce in the first 15 days. Large hospital EDs less often reported that diagnostic tests were unavailable. In areas where the COVID-19 incidence was higher, the EDs reported higher rates of staff on sick leave. Resource scarcity differed markedly by autonomous community and was not always associated with the incidence of COVID-19 in the population. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to organizational changes in EDs. Certain resources became scarce, and marked differences between autonomous communities were detected.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el impacto del brote pandémico de COVID-19 en diversos aspectos organizativos de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) españoles e investigar si difirió en función de la comunidad autónoma, tamaño del hospital e incidencia local de la pandemia. METODO: Encuesta a los responsables de los 283 SUH españoles de uso público, quienes valoraron el impacto de la pandemia en aspectos organizativos, disponibilidad de recursos, y bajas del personal durante marzo-abril de 2020, diferenciando dicho impacto por quincenas. Los resultados se analizaron en conjunto, por comunidad autónoma, según tamaño del hospital y según incidencia local de la pandemia. RESULTADOS: Se recibieron 246 encuestas (87% de los SUH españoles). La mayoría de SUH reorganizaron el triaje, primera asistencia y observación y habilitó nuevos espacios específicos para pacientes con sospecha de COVID-19. Un 83% aumentó dotación enfermera (sin diferencias entre grupos) y un 59% la dotación de médicos (más frecuente en hospitales grandes y zonas de alta incidencia). El recurso que más escaseó fue el test diagnóstico de SARS-CoV-2 (55% del tiempo insuficiente con cierta o mucha frecuencia), seguido de mascarillas FPP2-FPP3 (38%), batas impermeables (34%) y espacio asistencial (32%). Hubo más del 5% de médicos/enfermería/otro personal de baja el 20%/19%/16% del tiempo. Estos déficits fueron máximos la segunda quincena de marzo, excepto para los test diagnósticos (primera quincena de marzo). Los SUH de grandes centros tuvieron menos escasez de tests diagnósticos, y los de zonas de alta incidencia pandémica más profesionales de baja. Existieron marcadas diferencias en todas estos déficits entre comunidades autónomas, no siempre concordantes con el grado de afectación pandémica en cada comunidad. CONCLUSIONES: La pandemia COVID-19 generó cambios estructurales en los SUH, que sufrieron una escasez considerable en ciertos recursos, con diferencias marcadas entre comunidades autónomas.

Diagnostic groups and short-term outcomes in suspected COVID-19 cases treated in an emergency department. / Categorías diagnósticas y resultados a corto plazo en los pacientes con sospecha de COVID-19 atendidos en un servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and 30-day mortality rates in emergency department patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different diagnostic groupings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of the COVID-19 registry compiled by the emergency department of Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain. We selected suspected COVID-19 cases treated in the emergency department between February 28 and March 31, 2020. The cases were grouped as follows: 1) suspected, no polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (S/no-PCR); 2) suspected, negative PCR (S/PCR-); 3) suspected, positive PCR (S/PCR+); 4) highly suspected, no PCR, or negative PCR (HS/no or PCR-); and 5) highly suspected, positive PCR (HS/PCR+). We collected clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic data related to the emergency visit. The main outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization and clinical severity of the episode. RESULTS: A total of 1993 cases (90.9%) were included as follows: S/no-PCR, 17.2%; S/PCR-, 11.4%; S/PCR+, 22.1%; HS/no PCR or PCR-, 11.7%; and HS/PCR+, 37.6%. Short-term outcomes differed significantly in the different groups according to demographic characteristics; comorbidity and clinical, radiographic, analytical, and therapeutic variables. Thirty-day mortality was 11.5% (56.5% in hospitalized cases and 19.6% in cases classified as severe). The 2 HS categories and the S/PCR+ category had a greater adjusted risk for 30-day mortality and for having a clinically severe episode during hospitalization in comparison with S/PCR- cases. Only the 2 HS categories showed greater risk for hospitalization than the S/PCR- cases. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 diagnostic groups differ according to clinical and laboratory characteristics, and the differences are associated with the 30-day prognosis.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo principal fue describir el perfil clínico y la mortalidad a los 30 días de diferentes categorías diagnósticas en los casos de COVID-19 atendidos en un servicio de urgencias (SU). METODO: Análisis secundario del registro COVID-19_URG-HCSC. Se seleccionaron los casos sospechosos de COVID-19 atendidos en un SU de Madrid desde el 28 de febrero hasta el 31 de marzo de 2020. La muestra se dividió: 1) sospecha con PCR no realizada (S/PCR NR); 2) sospecha con PCR negativa (S/PCR­); 3) sospecha con PCR positiva (S/ PCR+); 4) alta sospecha con PCR negativa o no realizada (AS/PCR­ o NR); y 5) alta sospecha con PCR positiva (AS/ PCR+). Se recogieron variables clínicas, radiológicas y microbiológicas del episodio de urgencias. La variable de resultado principal fue la mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. Las variables secundarias fueron el ingreso y la gravedad del episodio. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1.993 pacientes; 17,2% S/PCR NR, 11,4% S/PCR­, 22,1% S/PCR+, 11,7% AS/PCR­ o NR y 37,6% AS/PCR+. Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a las variables demográficas, comorbilidad, clínicas, radiográficas, analíticas y terapéuticas y de resultados a corto plazo en función las categorías diagnósticas. La mortalidad global a los 30 días fue de un 11,5%, 56,5% casos fueron hospitalizados y 19,6% casos sufrieron un episodio grave. Las categorías de AS y de S/PCR+ tuvieron un incremento del riesgo ajustado de mortalidad a los 30 días y de sufrir un episodio grave durante el ingreso hospitalario respecto a S/PCR­. En relación al ingreso, solo las categorías de AS tuvieron un incremento del riesgo ajustado de hospitalización respecto a la categoría de S/PCR­. CONCLUSIONES: Existen diferentes categorías diagnósticas de la enfermedad COVID-19 en función del perfil clínico y microbiológico que tienen correlato con el pronóstico a 30 días.

Impact of geriatric assessment variables on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure. / Impacto de las variables geriátricas en la mortalidad a 30 días de los ancianos atendidos por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda?

OBJETIVE: To study the impact of geriatric assessment variables on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of cases in the OAK Registry (Older Acute Heart Failure Key Data), a prospectively compiled database of consecutive patients aged 65 years or older treated for AHF in 3 Spanish emergency departments over a 4-month period (November-December 2011 and January-February 2014). The patients underwent a geriatric assessment adapted for emergency department use on weekdays between 8 AM and 10 PM. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and geriatric assessment variables were recorded. The geriatric variables were concurrent diseases; polypharmacy; frailty; functional, social, and cognitive status at baseline; results of screening for confusional state, cognitive impairment, and depression; and nutritional status. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days. RESULTS: We included 565 patients with a mean (SD) age of 83 (7.1) years; 346 (61.6%) were women. Sixty-five (11.5%) died within 30 days. Independent factors associated with 30-day mortality were acute confusional state (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0­4.8; P=.04), acute illness (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9­3.4; P=.05), loss of appetite in the past 3 months (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0­3.4; P=.04), frailty (aOR, 2.0, 95% CI, 1.0­4.1; P=.05), and severe disability (aOR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.9­11.4; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Certain geriatric variables should be considered when assessing short-term risk in older patients with AHF.

OBJETIVOS: Estudiar el impacto de las variables geriátricas en la mortalidad a 30 días entre los ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). MÉTODO: Análisis retrospectivo del registro Older Acute heart failure Key data (OAK) que incluye prospectivamente a pacientes consecutivos 65 años con ICA en 3 servicios de urgencias españoles durante 4 meses (noviembre-diciembre 2011 y enero-febrero 2014). Se realizó una valoración geriátrica adaptada a urgencias durante los días laborales de 8 am a 10 pm. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas, analíticas y geriátricas (comorbilidad, polifarmacia, fragilidad, situación basal funcional, cognitiva y social, despistaje de síndrome confusional, deterioro cognitivo y depresión, y situación nutricional). La variable de resultado fue la mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 565 pacientes con edad media 83 años (DE 7,1), 346 mujeres (61,6%). Sesenta y cinco sujetos (11,5%) fallecieron a los 30 días. La presencia de síndrome confusional agudo (OR ajustada = 2,2; IC95% 1,0-4,8; p = 0,04), de enfermedad aguda (OR ajustada = 1,8; IC95% 0,9-3,4; p = 0,05) o pérdida de apetito (OR ajustada = 1,8; IC95% 1-3,4; p = 0,04) en los últimos 3 meses, y de fragilidad (OR ajustada = 2,0; IC95% 1,0-4,1; p = 0,05) o dependencia funcional grave (OR ajustada = 4,4; IC95% 1,9-11,4; p = 0,01) fueron factores independientes asociados con mortalidad a los 30 días. CONCLUSIONES: Existen ciertas variables geriátricas que debieran contemplarse en la estratificación de riesgo a corto plazo de los pacientes ancianos con ICA.

[Physical structure, human resources, and health care quality indicators in public hospital emergency departments in the autonomous communities of Madrid and Catalonia: a comparative study]. / Estudio comparativo de la estructura física, recursos humanos e indicadores de actividad asistencial entre los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios públicos de las comunidades autónomas de Madrid y Cataluña.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the general, structural, and organizational characteristics of public hospital emergency departments in the Spanish autonomous communities of Madrid and Catalonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive survey-based study covering 3 areas of inquiry: general hospital features (18 questions), structural features of the emergency department (14 questions), and organizational and work-related policies of the emergency department (30 questions). Hospitals were grouped according to complexity: local hospitals (level 1), high-technology or referral hospitals (levels 2-3). RESULTS: We studied 26 hospital departments in Madrid (21, levels 2-3; 5, level 1) and 55 in Catalonia (24, levels 2-3; 31, level 1). Hospitals in Madrid are in newer buildings (P=.002), have more beds on conventional wards and in critical care units (P<.001, both comparisons), are more often affiliated with a university (P<.001), and serve larger populations (P=.027). The emergency departments in Madrid have larger surface areas available for clinical care and more cubicles for preliminary evaluations and observation beds (P=.001, all comparisons). Hospitals in Madrid also attended a larger median number of emergencies (P<.001). More physicians were employed in Catalonia overall, but the numbers of physician- and nurse-hours per hospital were higher in Madrid, where it was more usual for physicians to work exclusively in the emergency department (92.5% in Madrid vs 56.8% in Catalonia, P<.001). However, fewer of the employed physicians had permanent contracts in Madrid (30.5% vs 75.1% in Catalonia, P<.001). The ratio of resident physicians to staff physicians differs between the 2 communities on afternoon/evening, night, and holiday shifts (3:1 in Madrid; 1:1 in Catalonia). CONCLUSION: The physical and functional structures of hospital emergency departments in the communities of Madrid and Catalonia differ significantly. The differences cannot be attributed exclusively to geographic location.

OBJETIVO: Comparar las características generales, estructurales y organizativas de los servicios de urgencias de hospitales públicos (SUHP) de la Comunidad de Madrid con los de Cataluña. METODO: Estudio descriptivo tipo encuesta estructurada con 3 apartados: aspectos generales del hospital (18 preguntas), aspectos generales y estructurales de urgencias (14 preguntas), y aspectos organizativos y laborales de urgencias (30 preguntas). Los centros se agruparon según complejidad: niveles I-hospital comarcal y niveles II y III-hospital de alta tecnología o de referencia. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron los 26 SUHP de la Comunidad de Madrid (21 nivel II-III y 5 nivel I), y 55 de Cataluña (24 nivel II- III y 31 nivel I). En Madrid, comparada con Cataluña: los hospitales son de construcción más reciente (p = 0,002); tienen mayor número de camas de hospitalización (p < 0,001) y de cuidados críticos (p < 0,001); están más frecuentemente vinculados a la universidad (p < 0,001) y cubren mayor población (p = 0,027). Los servicios de urgencias: tienen mayor superficie para la actividad clínica (p < 0,001) y la primera asistencia (p < 0,001); mayor número de puestos de primera asistencia (p < 0,001) y camas de observación (p = 0,001) y la mediana del número de atenciones urgentes es mayor (p < 0,001). De forma global, hay más facultativos contratados en Cataluña, pero el número de horas de médico y enfermera contratadas por centro es mayor en Madrid, donde los médicos suelen realizar su actividad exclusivamente en urgencias (92,5% frente a 56,8%; p < 0,001), muy pocos con contrato fijo indefinido (30,5% frente a 75,1%; p < 0,001) con relación médico residente/adjunto diferente en turnos de tarde, noche y días festivos en comparación con los SUHP catalanes (3:1 frente a 1:1). CONCLUSIONES: La estructura física y funcional de los SUHP madrileños y catalanes difiere de forma significativa sin que pueda explicarse, exclusivamente, por los aspectos geográficos.

[Prognostic value of functional assessment at admission in an emergency short-stay unit]. / Valor pronóstico de la valoración funcional al ingreso en una unidad de corta estancia de Urgencias.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the prognostic value of functional impairment on the final destination of elders admitted for acute medical illness to an emergency short-stay unit (ESSU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective analysis of patients aged more than 65 years old admitted to the ESSU of Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid in April 2008. A protocol was designed that included epidemiologic variables (age and gender), clinical variables (reason for admission, comorbidity measured by the Charlson Index [CI]) and functional variables (previous, admission and functional decline [FD] measured with the Barthel [BI] and Lawton Indexes [LI]). The prognostic value of FD on the decision to admit patients was analyzed through ROC curves and the cut points that maximized sensitivity and specificity were determined. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included with a mean age of 80.7 (SD 8.2) years and 71.7% were women. The reasons for admission were acute infections in 31.7%, heart failure in 23.3%, syncope in 15.0%, intestinal obstruction in 11.7%, gastrointestinal bleeding in 10.0%, and arrhythmias in 8.3%. The mean CI was 2.27 (1.45). Functional assessment was as follows: mean previous BI score: 79.25 (SD 25) and at admission: 62.92 (SD 28.19). Mean previous LI score: 4.85 (SD 2.45) and at admission: 2.98 (SD 2.42).): BI-FD: 20% (1.25-38.23), LI-FD 37.5% (16.7-70.2%). FD was found in 100% of the patients. The mean length of stay was 1.70 (SD 0.62) days. Discharge destination was home discharge in 46.7% and hospitalization unit in 53.3%. Multivariate analysis according to discharge destination (home vs hospitalization) provided the following results : BI-FI > or = 16% (OR=7.99 [1.1-60.5], p=0.037), LI-FI > or =35% (OR=19.6 [0.04-0.52], p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with significant FD in the emergency room should not be admitted to an ESSU since significant FD is a prognostic factor for transfer to a conventional ward.