Prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with Advanced Chronic Illness and Palliative Care needs, identified with the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© Tool at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The identification of patients with advanced chronic conditions and palliative care needs is essential since their care represents one of the main challenges for public health systems. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of inpatients with palliative care needs in different services of a tertiary care hospital using the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. The NECPAL tool identifies patients who require palliative care. Any patient with the Surprise Question with the answer "NO" and at least another question of the tool with a positive answer is considered a positive identification. Patients were classified as Non-NECPAL, NECPAL I-II, and NECPAL III, depending on the NECPAL tool criteria they met. The presence of physical symptoms, emotional distress, and social risk factors was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 602 inpatients, 236 (39.2%) were enrolled. Of them, 34 (14.4%) non-NECPAL, 202 (85.6%) NECPAL+ [105 (44.5%) NECPAL I-II, and 97 (41.1%) NECPAL III]. Physical symptom burden was high (pain intensity ≥ 1 in 68.3% of patients; tiredness ≥ 1 in 83.5%; somnolence ≥ 1 in 50.6%; dyspnea ≥ 1 in 37.9%; anorexia ≥ 1 in 59.5%). 64.1% had emotional distress, and 83.6% had social risk factors. The NECPAL-III group contained a higher percentage of cancer patients, higher demand for palliative care, and greater need for palliative care (p < 0.001). In 50.8% of cases, no referrals were made to psychology, social work, or hospital palliative and supportive care teams. The three services with the higher number of patients with palliative care needs were: Palliative Care Unit (100%), Oncology (54.54%), and Emergency Short-stay Unit (54.16%). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals presented palliative care needs, with multiple unmet physical, emotional, and social needs. Less than 50% are referred to specialized care teams, such as hospital palliative and supportive care teams.

Acute respiratory infection rates in primary care anticipate ICU bed occupancy during COVID-19 waves.

BACKGROUND: Bed occupancy in the ICU is a major constraint to in-patient care during COVID-19 pandemic. Diagnoses of acute respiratory infection (ARI) by general practitioners have not previously been investigated as an early warning indicator of ICU occupancy. METHODS: A population-based central health care system registry in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain, was used to analyze all diagnoses of ARI related to COVID-19 established by general practitioners and the number of occupied ICU beds in all hospitals from Catalonia between March 26, 2020 and January 20, 2021. The primary outcome was the cross-correlation between the series of COVID-19-related ARI cases and ICU bed occupancy taking into account the effect of bank holidays and weekends. Recalculations were later implemented until March 27, 2022. FINDINGS: Weekly average incidence of ARI diagnoses increased from 252.7 per 100,000 in August, 2020 to 496.5 in October, 2020 (294.2 in November, 2020), while the average number of ICU beds occupied by COVID-19-infected patients rose from 1.7 per 100,000 to 3.5 in the same period (6.9 in November, 2020). The incidence of ARI detected in the primary care setting anticipated hospital occupancy of ICUs, with a maximum correlation of 17.3 days in advance (95% confidence interval 15.9 to 18.9). INTERPRETATION: COVID-19-related ARI cases may be a novel warning sign of ICU occupancy with a delay of over two weeks, a latency window period for establishing restrictions on social contacts and mobility to mitigate the propagation of COVID-19. Monitoring ARI cases would enable immediate adoption of measures to prevent ICU saturation in future waves.

Midregional proadrenomedullin safely reduces hospitalization in a low severity cohort with infections in the ED: a randomized controlled multi-centre interventional pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The midregional fragment of proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is known to provide accurate short-, mid- and long term prognostic information in the triage and multi-dimensional risk assessment of patients in the emergency department (ED). In two independent observational cohorts MR-proADM values identified low disease severity patients without risk of disease progression in the ED with no 28 days mortality that wouldn´t require hospitalization. In this interventional study we want to show that the combination of an MR-proADM algorithm with clinical assessment is able to identify low risk patients not requiring hospitalization to safely reduce the number of hospital admissions. METHODS: A randomized-controlled interventional multicenter study in 4 EDs in Spain. The study protocol was approved by Ethics Committees. Control arm patients received Standard Care. MR-proADM guided arm patients with low MR-proADM value (≤0.87 nmol/L) were treated as out-patients, with high MR-proADM value (>0.87 nmol/L) were hospitalized. The hospitalization rate was compared between the study arms. RESULTS: Two hundred patients with suspicion of infection were enrolled. In the MR-proADM guided arm the hospital admission rate in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population was 17% lower than in the control arm (40.6% vs. 57.6%, p=0.024) and 20% lower in the per protocol (PP) population (37.2% vs. 57.6%, p=0.009). No deaths of out-patients and no significant difference for the safety endpoints readmission and representation rates were observed. The readmission rate was only slightly higher in the MR-proADM guided arm compared to the control arm (PP population: at 14 days 9.3% vs. 7.1%, difference 2.1% (95% CI: -11.0% to 15.2%); and at 28 days 11.1% vs. 9.5%, difference 1.6% (95% CI: -12.2% to 15.4%)). The rate of 28 days representation was slightly lower in the MR-proADM guided arm compared to the control arm (20.4% vs. 26.2%, difference -5.8% (95% CI: -25.0% to 13.4%); PP population). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a MR-proADM algorithm optimizes ED workflows efficiently and sustainably. Hospitals can highly benefit from a reduced rate of hospitalizations by 20% using MR-proADM. The safety in the MR-proADM guided study arm was similar to the Standard Care arm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03770533.

Biomarkers and clinical scores to identify patient populations at risk of delayed antibiotic administration or intensive care admission.

BACKGROUND: The performance of blood biomarkers (mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate) and clinical scores (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), National Early Warning Score (NEWS), and quick SOFA) was compared to identify patient populations at risk of delayed treatment initiation and disease progression after presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected infection. METHODS: A prospective observational study across three EDs. Biomarker and clinical score values were calculated upon presentation and 72 h, and logistic and Cox regression used to assess the strength of association. Primary outcomes comprised of 28-day mortality prediction and delayed antibiotic administration or intensive care (ICU) admission, whilst secondary outcomes identified subsequent disease progression. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-four patients were enrolled with hospitalisation, ICU admission, and infection-related 28-day mortality rates of 72.8%, 3.4%, and 4.4%, respectively. MR-proADM and NEWS had the strongest association with hospitalisation and the requirement for antibiotic administration, whereas MR-proADM alone had the strongest association with ICU admission (OR [95% CI]: 5.8 [3.1 - 10.8]) and mortality (HR [95% CI]: 3.8 [2.2 - 6.5]). Patient subgroups with high MR-proADM concentrations (≥ 1.77 nmol/L) and low NEWS (< 5 points) values had significantly higher rates of ICU admission (8.1% vs 1.6%; p < 0.001), hospital readmission (18.9% vs. 5.9%; p < 0.001), infection-related mortality (13.5% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001), and disease progression (29.7% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.001) than corresponding patients with low MR-proADM concentrations. ICU admission was delayed by 1.5 [0.25 - 5.0] days in patients with high MR-proADM and low NEWS values compared to corresponding patients with high NEWS values, despite similar 28-day mortality rates (13.5% vs. 16.5%). Antibiotics were withheld in 17.4% of patients with high MR-proADM and low NEWS values, with higher subsequent rates of ICU admission (27.3% vs. 4.8%) and infection-related hospital readmission (54.5% vs. 14.3%) compared to those administered antibiotics during ED treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low severity signs of infection but high MR-proADM concentrations had an increased likelihood of subsequent disease progression, delayed antibiotic administration or ICU admission. Appropriate triage decisions and the rapid use of antibiotics in patients with high MR-proADM concentrations may constitute initial steps in escalating or intensifying early treatment strategies.

Características de la prostatitis aguda en los pacientes ancianos atendidos en el servicio de urgencias / Characteristics of acute bacterial prostatitis in elderly patients attended in the Emergency Department

Objetivo: Comparar las características de la prostatitis aguda (PA) en los pacientes ancianos ≥75 años con los <75 años atendidos en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SU). Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional y prospectivo de los pacientes con PA atendidos de forma consecutiva durante un año en el SU de un hospital terciario. Se incluyen los datos relativos a la comorbilidad, episodios previos, clínica, microbiología, tratamiento, evolución a 30 días y se comparan los pacientes en función de la edad. Resultados: Se han incluido 241 episodios de PA con una edad media de 62,9+/-16 años y 64 (26,5%) con ≥75 años. Fueron positivos 104 de los 215 (48,4%) urocultivos y 25 de los 136 (18,4%) hemocultivos. El aislamiento más frecuente fue Escherichia coli con resistencias en los pacientes ancianos >30% para ciprofloxacino, amoxicilina-clavulánico y cotrimoxazol, y 15,4% de cepas productoras de beta-lactamasas de espectro extendido. En el análisis univariante la manipulación de la vía urinaria, los antecedentes de cáncer, la antibioterapia previa, la insuficiencia renal, la proporción de cepas de E. coli resistentes y el ingreso hospitalario resultaron más frecuentes en los pacientes ≥75 años. A pesar de ello, únicamente el tratamiento antibiótico inadecuado resultó significativamente más frecuente en los pacientes ancianos en el análisis multivariante (p=0,004). Conclusiones: Al establecer el tratamiento empírico inicial de la PA en el SU, especialmente en los pacientes ancianos, es importante tener en cuenta el patrón de resistencias a los antibióticos de uso más frecuente

Objective: To compare the characteristics of acute bacterial prostatitis between patients ≥75 years old with those <75 years old attended in the Emergency Department. Material and methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted with a prospective follow-up including all consecutive patients with acute bacterial prostatitis that were admitted during one year to the Emergency Department of a tertiary-care hospital. Data were collected for demographic variables, comorbidities, clinical and microbiological findings, treatment, outcome, and re-consultation at 30 days follow-up. Patients were compared depending on age. Results: A total of 241 episodes of acute bacterial prostatitis were included. The mean age was 62.9+/-16 years, and 64 patients (26.5%) were ≥75 years old. In the microbiology findings, 104 out of 215 (48.4%) of urine cultures and 25 out of 136 (18.4%) blood cultures were positive. Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolation, with resistance rates in elderly patients above 30% for ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic, and cotrimoxazole, and 15.4% of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains. In the univariate analysis, previous manipulation of the urinary tract, history of cancer, previous antibiotic treatment, resistant E. coli strains, renal impairment, and admission to the hospital were more frequent among patients ≥75 years. Nonetheless, in the multivariate analysis only inadequate empirical antibiotic treatment was found to be significantly more frequent in elderly patients (P=.004). Conclusions: Drug-resistance patterns to commonly used antibiotics should be considered when choosing empirical treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis in the Emergency Department setting, especially for patients ≥75 years

[Characteristics of acute bacterial prostatitis in elderly patients attended in the Emergency Department]. / Características de la prostatitis aguda en los pacientes ancianos atendidos en el servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of acute bacterial prostatitis between patients ≥75 years old with those <75 years old attended in the Emergency Department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and observational study was conducted with a prospective follow-up including all consecutive patients with acute bacterial prostatitis that were admitted during one year to the Emergency Department of a tertiary-care hospital. Data were collected for demographic variables, comorbidities, clinical and microbiological findings, treatment, outcome, and re-consultation at 30 days follow-up. Patients were compared depending on age. RESULTS: A total of 241 episodes of acute bacterial prostatitis were included. The mean age was 62.9±16 years, and 64 patients (26.5%) were ≥75 years old. In the microbiology findings, 104 out of 215 (48.4%) of urine cultures and 25 out of 136 (18.4%) blood cultures were positive. Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolation, with resistance rates in elderly patients above 30% for ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic, and cotrimoxazole, and 15.4% of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains. In the univariate analysis, previous manipulation of the urinary tract, history of cancer, previous antibiotic treatment, resistant E. coli strains, renal impairment, and admission to the hospital were more frequent among patients ≥75 years. Nonetheless, in the multivariate analysis only inadequate empirical antibiotic treatment was found to be significantly more frequent in elderly patients (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-resistance patterns to commonly used antibiotics should be considered when choosing empirical treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis in the Emergency Department setting, especially for patients ≥75 years.

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An analysis of the care process in a regional hospital emergency department.

To describe the characteristics of patients visiting a Hospital Emergency Department (HED) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (AECOPD) and to evaluate their management.A cross-sectional study of the first 219 patients with AECOPD visiting the HED of the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain, was performed from January to May 2016. The data collected included the following: main patient characteristics, diagnostic tests, applied treatments, response times, discharge destination, need for hospital admission, and re-admissions and deaths at 90 days. Comparisons were made according to sex and need for hospitalization.The patients consisted of 84% men, with a mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of 75.9 (11) years and a FEV1/FVC of 56 (13)%; 63% were ex-smokers. The median time (P25-P75) in the HED was 6 (4-10) hours, with shorter waiting times for severe patients. Additionally, 74% of patients required hospital admission. The percentages of re-admissions and mortality at 90 days were 25% and 14%, respectively. Among female patients, 63% never consumed tobacco, and the most frequent clinical phenotype was asthma combined with COPD; female patients visited the family doctor sooner after AECOPD than men (4 vs 7 days). Overall, the following areas of improvement were identified: use of sputum culture (performed in 3% of patients); documentation of variables; patient care times; and reduction in the time until first medical check-up.The overall quality of care provided to AECOPD patients was satisfactory and consistent with current clinical guidelines. Nevertheless, improving the quality of care at the HED requires establishing protocols that ensure that the necessary diagnostic tests are performed, optimize response times and guarantee that all relevant information is collected.

Intrahospital Mortality and Survival of Patients with Advanced Chronic Illnesses in a Tertiary Hospital Identified with the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© Tool.

BACKGROUND: Between 69% and 82% of patients with advanced chronic illness require palliative care (PC). The NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool can identify these individuals. Tools to estimate survival are available, but have limited predictive ability, and therefore we sought to assess if NECPAL could improve survival prediction. OBJECTIVE: To describe hospital mortality, survival rates, and related variables in a sample of inpatients identified with the NECPAL tool. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with longitudinal cohort follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical data were analyzed. A predictive model (Cox regression analysis) was performed to assess survival. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Included patients were considered to be especially affected by their chronic condition and NECPAL+ patients (surprise question [SQ]+ plus ≥1 of the tool's other three criteria). Patients were classified into three subgroups: non-NECPAL (either SQ- or not meeting any additional NECPAL criteria); NECPAL I-II (SQ+ with one to two additional criteria); and NECPAL III (SQ+ with all three additional criteria). RESULTS: Of the 602 inpatients, 236 (39.2%) were included. Of these, 49 (20.3%) died during hospitalization: 14 (13.3%) were NECPAL I-II; 34 (35.1%) were NECPAL III; and none were non-NECPAL (p < 0.001). At two years, 146 deaths (61.9%) were observed: 9 (26.5%) non-NECPAL; 57 (54.3%) NECPAL I-II; and 80 (82.5%) NECPAL III (p < 0.001). Median survival was 9.1 months. Variables associated with higher mortality were NECPAL III classification (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.75 [1.19-2.57]); in need of PC (HR: 2 [1.27-3.13]); dysphagia (HR: 1.7 [1.12-2.58] 6); cancer (HR: 3.21 [2.19-4.71]); and age >85 years (HR: 2.52 [1.46-4.35]). At six months, the NECPAL had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.632-0.765), and at 24 months, the NECPAL AUC was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.650-0.785). CONCLUSIONS: The NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool can improve the prediction of mortality. The presence of all three NECPAL criteria (NECPAL III) increases the tool's predictive ability.

[Factors associated with emergency department revisits for acute bacterial prostatitis]. / Factores asociados a la reconsulta en urgencias en la prostatitis aguda bacteriana.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze factors associated with revisits by patients with acute bacterial prostatitis treated in a hospital emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis and prospective follow-up of a cohort of patients with acute bacterial prostatitis treated in an emergency department. RESULTS: We included 241 episodes of acute bacterial prostatitis. The mean (SD) age was 63 (16) years. Seventy-three percent reported dysuria, 64% had fever, and between 15.4% and 22.4% had medical histories of cancer, urethral/bladder catheterization, or prostate adenoma. Positive urine cultures were obtained for 48.1% and positive blood cultures for 17.6%. Escherichia coli was the bacterium isolated most often, and 27.7% of the cultures showed resistance to ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Twenty-nine patients (12%) revisited within 30 days. The only factors associated with revisiting were performance of a rectal examination (odds ratio [OR], 9.23; 95% CI, 1.12-75.82) and bacteremia (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.31-11.04) (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Factors associated with revisiting for acute bacterial prostatitis were bacteremia and performance of a rectal examination.

OBJETIVO: Analizar los factores asociados a la reconsulta del paciente con prostatitis aguda bacteriana (PAB) atendido en el servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). METODO: Estudio analítico de cohorte observacional con seguimiento prospectivo de las PAB atendidas en el SUH durante un año. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 241 episodios de PAB. La edad media fue de 63 (DE: 16) años. Presentaron disuria el 73%, fiebre el 64% y antecedentes de cáncer, manipulación previa de la vía urinaria o adenoma prostático entre el 15,4- 22,4%. El 48,1% de los urocultivos y el 17,6% de los hemocultivos resultaron positivos. Escherichia coli fue el aislamiento mayoritario, presentando con resistencias en el 27,7% a ciprofloxacino y amoxicilina/clavulánico. A los 30 días reconsultaron 29 pacientes (12%). El tacto rectal, con odss ratio (OR) 9,23 (IC 95%: 1,12-75,82), y la bacteriemia, con OR de 3,81 (IC 95%: 1,31-11,04), fueron las únicas variables asociadas a la reconsulta (p <0,05). CONCLUSIONES: Los factores relacionados con la reconsulta del enfermo con PBA fueron la presencia de bacteriemia y el tacto rectal.

Factores asociados a la reconsulta en urgencias en la prostatitis aguda bacteriana / Factors associated with emergency department revisits for acute bacterial prostatitis

Objetivo: Analizar los factores asociados a la reconsulta del paciente con prostatitis aguda bacteriana (PAB) atendido en el servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). Método: Estudio analítico de cohorte observacional con seguimiento prospectivo de las PAB atendidas en el SUH durante un año. Resultados: Se registraron 241 episodios de PAB. La edad media fue de 63 (DE: 16) años. Presentaron disuria el 73%, fiebre el 64% y antecedentes de cáncer, manipulación previa de la vía urinaria o adenoma prostático entre el 15,4- 22,4%. El 48,1% de los urocultivos y el 17,6% de los hemocultivos resultaron positivos. Escherichia coli fue el aislamiento mayoritario, presentando con resistencias en el 27,7% a ciprofloxacino y amoxicilina/clavulánico. A los 30 días reconsultaron 29 pacientes (12%). El tacto rectal, con odss ratio (OR) 9,23 (IC 95%: 1,12-75,82), y la bacteriemia, con OR de 3,81 (IC 95%: 1,31-11,04), fueron las únicas variables asociadas a la reconsulta (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Los factores relacionados con la reconsulta del enfermo con PBA fueron la presencia de bacteriemia y el tacto rectal (AU)

Objective: To analyze factors associated with revisits by patients with acute bacterial prostatitis treated in a hospital emergency department. Methods: Descriptive analysis and prospective follow-up of a cohort of patients with acute bacterial prostatitis treated in an emergency department. Results: We included 241 episodes of acute bacterial prostatitis. The mean (SD) age was 63 (16) years. Seventy-three percent reported dysuria, 64% had fever, and between 15.4% and 22.4% had medical histories of cancer, urethral/bladder catheterization, or prostate adenoma. Positive urine cultures were obtained for 48.1% and positive blood cultures for 17.6%. Escherichia coli was the bacterium isolated most often, and 27.7% of the cultures showed resistance to ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Twenty-nine patients (12%) revisited within 30 days. The only factors associated with revisiting were performance of a rectal examination (odds ratio [OR], 9.23; 95% CI, 1.12-75.82) and bacteremia (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.31-11.04) (P<.05). Conclusion: Factors associated with revisiting for acute bacterial prostatitis were bacteremia and performance of a rectal examination (AU)

Pneumonia Severity Index en el servicio de urgencias y la utilización de una unidad de corta estancia para mejorar los indicadores de resultado en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Pneumonia Severity Index in the emergency department and the use of a short-stay unit to improve outcome indicators in community-acquired pneumonia

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La unidad de corta estancia como alternativa a la hospitalización convencional en el tratamiento de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en la población mayor de 75 años / The short stay unit as an alternative to conventional hospitalisation in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia in the over 75 year-old population

Introducción. La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) es una patología infecciosa prevalente cuya incidencia y necesidad de ingreso aumenta con la edad. Las unidades de corta estancia (UCE) podrían ser un dispositivo adecuado para pacientes ancianos con patología aguda que requieran ingreso. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo en la UCE del Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge en Barcelona. Período: enero 2004-diciembre 2006. Pacientes: todos los pacientes ≥ 75 años ingresados en la UCE por NAC. Variables analizadas: edad y sexo, grupo de riesgo según el Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), hallazgos microbiológicos, tratamiento antibiótico, duración de la estancia, destino al alta, mortalidad y reingreso en los 30 días posteriores al alta. Resultados. Se incluyó a 175 pacientes consecutivos. La edad media±desviación estándar fue de 84,31±5,76 años. De ellos, 92 (52,5%) eran varones. La distribución según PSI fue: III, 64 casos (36,6%), IV 97 (55,4%) y V, 14 (8%). Se obtuvo el diagnóstico microbiológico en 46 casos (26,2%). La estancia media fue de 3,29±1,56 días, con una mortalidad global del 10,8%. Tres pacientes (1,9%) fueron trasladados a una unidad de hospitalización convencional y consultaron de nuevo en el servicio de urgencias en los 30 días posteriores al alta un total de 6 (3,8%) pacientes. Conclusiones. Según nuestra experiencia, la UCE puede considerarse una alternativa a la hospitalización convencional en pacientes ancianos con NAC y PSI III y IV(AU)

Introduction. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. The short stay units can be an alternative for patients who need admission with acute illness. Material and methods. Descriptive and retrospective study in an Short-Stay Unit (SSU) of a 900-bed tertiary-care teaching hospital in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. Period: a total of 22 months from January 2004 to December 2006. Patients: all patients ≥75years admitted to EDSSU with a diagnosis of CAP. Data were collected for demographic variables, Pneumonia Severity Index score (PSI), microbiological findings, antibiotic treatment, length of stay, mortality rates and new admissions during the 30days following discharge. Results. 175 consecutive patients ≥ 75years with pneumonia were admitted to the EDSSU. Mean age was 84.31years (range 75-100, SD±5.76), 92 (52,5%) were men, with 24 being nursing home residents. According to the PSI, 64 cases (36.6%) were scored as III, 97 (55.4%) as IV and 14 (8%) as V. A positive microbiological result was obtained in 46 cases (26.2%). Length of stay on average was 3.29days (range 1-10, SD±1.56) and 19 patients died (10.8%). Six (3.8%) attended the ED in the 30days following discharge. Conclusions. In view of our experience, the EDSSU can be an alternative to standard inpatient for elderly patients with pneumonia in PSI risk class III and IV(AU)

[The short stay unit as an alternative to conventional hospitalisation in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia in the over 75 year-old population]. / La unidad de corta estancia como alternativa a la hospitalización convencional en el tratamiento de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en la población mayor de 75 años.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. The short stay units can be an alternative for patients who need admission with acute illness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study in an Short-Stay Unit (SSU) of a 900-bed tertiary-care teaching hospital in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. PERIOD: a total of 22 months from January 2004 to December 2006. PATIENTS: all patients ≥ 75 years admitted to EDSSU with a diagnosis of CAP. Data were collected for demographic variables, Pneumonia Severity Index score (PSI), microbiological findings, antibiotic treatment, length of stay, mortality rates and new admissions during the 30 days following discharge. RESULTS: 175 consecutive patients ≥ 75 years with pneumonia were admitted to the EDSSU. Mean age was 84.31 years (range 75-100, SD ± 5.76), 92 (52,5%) were men, with 24 being nursing home residents. According to the PSI, 64 cases (36.6%) were scored as III, 97 (55.4%) as IV and 14 (8%) as V. A positive microbiological result was obtained in 46 cases (26.2%). Length of stay on average was 3.29 days (range 1-10, SD ± 1.56) and 19 patients died (10.8%). Six (3.8%) attended the ED in the 30 days following discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In view of our experience, the EDSSU can be an alternative to standard inpatient for elderly patients with pneumonia in PSI risk class III and IV.