Characteristics of frequent users of emergency departments living with major neurocognitive disorders: a cohort study / Características dos utilizadores frequentes dos departamentos de emergência que vivem com demência: um estudo de coorte

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever e comparar as características dos adultos idosos, residentes na comunidade, que vivem com demência e que recorreram frequentemente aos departamentos de emergência. METODOLOGIA: Este é um estudo retrospetivo baseado numa análise secundária de dados administrativos provinciais de saúde no Quebeque, Canadá. Incluímos adultos idosos residentes na comunidade do Quebeque considerados utilizadores frequentes dos departamentos de emergência (mínimo de quatro visitas no ano seguinte a uma visita ao departamento de emergência indexada, escolhida aleatoriamente durante o período de 1 de janeiro de 2012 até 31 de dezembro de 2013) e diagnosticados com pelo menos uma condição crônica. Comparamos as características dos utilizadores frequentes que vivem com e sem demência utilizando os testes qui-quadrado e Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: A coorte do estudo consistiu em 21 393 utilizadores frequentes, dos quais 3051 (14,26%) foram identificados como portadores de demência. Os resultados salientam maior carga de condições crônicas, polifarmácia, uso de antipsicótico e serviços de saúde passados entre esses indivíduos. Os resultados também revelam maior proporção de doenças associadas a síndromes geriátricas como trauma e lesão, desnutrição, hipertensão ortostática e distúrbios de marcha. CONCLUSÃO: Os utilizadores frequentes dos serviços de emergência que vivem com demência representam uma população complexa. Os nossos resultados salientam a importância de abordar sistematicamente as suas necessidades, em contextos apropriados e por meio de intervenções personalizadas. (AU)

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe and compare the characteristics of community-dwelling older adults living with or without major neurocognitive disorders who made frequent use of emergency departments. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study based on a secondary analysis of provincial health administrative data in Quebec, Canada. We included community-dwelling older adults from Quebec who were considered frequent emergency department users (a minimum of 4 visits in the year following an index emergency department visit chosen randomly between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013) and who had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. We compared characteristics of frequent users living with or without major neurocognitive disorders using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 21 393 frequent emergency department users, of which 3051 (14.26%) were identified as having a major neurocognitive disorder. The results highlight a higher burden of chronic conditions, polypharmacy, antipsychotic use, and past use of healthcare services among these individuals. The results also reveal a higher proportion of conditions associated with geriatric syndromes such as trauma and injury, malnutrition, orthostatic hypertension, and gait disorders. CONCLUSION: Frequent emergency department users living with major neurocognitive disorders represent a complex population. Our results highlight the importance of systematically addressing their needs in appropriate settings and through customized interventions. (AU)

High Exhaustion in Geriatric Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Second Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we assessed burnout in geriatric healthcare workers during the first lockdown that lasted from March to May 2020 in France, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. OBJECTIVE: We carried out a follow-up study to assess burnout in the same population during the second lockdown that was implemented at the end of October 2020. METHODS: We used an online survey to assess burnout in terms of exhaustion and disengagement in a sample of 58 geriatric healthcare workers. RESULTS: We found higher levels of exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout among geriatric healthcare workers during the second than during the first lockdown. We also found high levels of exhaustion but moderate disengagement and burnout during the second lockdown. CONCLUSION: The increased exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout during the second lockdown can be attributed to the increased workload in geriatric facilities throughout this crisis and during the second lockdown due to shortage in staff and increased number of shifts and allocated duties. The high levels of exhaustion reported among geriatric healthcare workers during the second lockdown can reflect their physical fatigue, as well as their feelings of being emotionally overextended and exhausted by their workload.

Older adults' access to primary care: Gender, racial, and ethnic disparities in telemedicine.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, primary care practices adopted telemedicine as an alternative to in-person visits. Little is known about whether access to telemedicine was equitable, especially among older patients. Our objectives were to (1) examine older adults' use of telemedicine versus in-person primary care visits and (2) compare hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) between the groups. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study of 17,103 patients aged ≥65 years seen at 32 clinics in the Mid-Atlantic, primary care patients were classified into two groups-telemedicine versus in person-based on the first visit between March and May 2020 and followed up for 14 days. Using multivariable logistic regression, we measured the odds of being seen via telemedicine versus in person as a function of patient demographics, comorbidities, and week of study period. We then measured the odds of ACSC hospitalization by visit modality. RESULTS: Mean age was 75.1 years (SD, 7.5), 60.6% of patients were female, 64.6% white, 28.1% black, and 2.0% Hispanic. Overall, 60.3% of patients accessed primary care via telemedicine. Black (vs. white) patients had higher odds of using telemedicine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.47) and Hispanic (vs. not Hispanic) patients had lower odds (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.92). Compared with the in-person group, patients in the telemedicine group had lower odds of ACSC hospitalization (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61-1.00). Among patients who used telemedicine, black patients had 1.43 higher odds of ACSC hospitalization (95% CI, 1.02-2.01) compared with white patients. Patients aged 85 or older seen via telemedicine had higher odds of an ACSC hospitalization (aOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.03-2.47) compared with patients aged 65-74. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the use of telemedicine for primary care access for older adults. However, the observed disparities highlight the need to improve care quality and equity regardless of visit modality.

Hand grip strength before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and decreased hand grip strength (HGS). DESIGN: Longitudinal population-based study. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥60 years) living in a rural Ecuadorian village struck by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: Of 282 enrolled individuals, 254 (90%) finished the study. MEASUREMENTS: HGS was measured 3 months before (January 2020) and 9 months after the introduction of the virus into the population (January 2021). SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing was performed in two rounds: in May-June (early) and September-November (late), 2020. An independent association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and HGS decline was assessed by fitting linear mixed models for longitudinal data. Changes in HGS scores in SARS-CoV-2 seropositive subjects, according to the time elapsed since seroconversion, were compared with those who remained seronegative. RESULTS: Overall, 149 (59%) individuals became seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. The mean HGS (in kg) was 25.3 ± 8.3 at baseline and 23.7 ± 8.1 at follow-up (p = 0.028), with 140 individuals having >5% HGS decline between both measurements. The follow-up HGS measurement decreased by 1.72 kg in seropositive individuals, and by 0.57 kg in their seronegative counterparts (p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 seropositive individuals were 2.27 times more likely (95% CI: 1.33-3.87) to have a lower HGS measurement at the time of follow-up than those who remained seronegative. When compared with seronegative subjects, seropositive patients with early seroconversion were 3.41 times (95% CI: 1.73-6.74) more likely to have >5% HGS decline at the time of the follow-up than those with later, i.e., more recent, infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an independent deleterious impact of SARS-CoV-2 on HGS that is more marked among individuals with infections that occurred more than 8 months before follow-up HGS. Results suggest the possibility of chronic damage to skeletal muscles by SARS-CoV-2.

Epidemiological changes of geriatric trauma in the United Arab Emirates.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to study the epidemiological changes in geriatric trauma in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates, in the past decade to give recommendations on injury prevention.Trauma patients aged 65 years and above who were hospitalized at Al-Ain Hospital for more than 24 hours or died in the hospital after their arrival regardless of the length of stay were studied. Data were extracted from the Al-Ain Hospital trauma registry. Two periods were compared; March 2003 to March 2006 and January 2014 to December 2017. Studied variables which were compared included demography, mechanism of injury and its location, and clinical outcome.There were 66 patients in the first period and 200 patients in the second period. The estimated annual incidence of hospitalized geriatric trauma patients in Al-Ain City was 8.5 per 1000 geriatric inhabitants in the first period compared with 7.8 per 1000 geriatric inhabitants in the second period. Furthermore, mortality was reduced from 7.6% to 2% (P = 0.04). There was a significant increase in falls on the same level by14.9% (62.1%-77%, P = 0.02, Pearson χ2 test). This was associated with a significant increase of injuries occurring at home (55.4%-78.7% P = 0.0003, Fisher Exact test). There was also a strong trend in the reduction of road traffic collision injuries which was reduced by 10.8% (27.3%-16.5%, P = 0.07, Fisher Exact test).Although the incidence and severity of geriatric trauma did not change over the last decade, in-hospital mortality has significantly decreased over time. There was a significant increase in injuries occurring at homes and in falls on the same level. The home environment should be targeted in injury prevention programs so as to reduce geriatric injuries.

Preliminary data demonstrate the Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces postoperative length of stay.

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: The Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program promotes clinical standards aimed to optimize the quality of surgical care delivered to older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards improves surgical outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective study with cohort matching. SETTING: Data from a single institution compared with a national data set cohort. PARTICIPANTS: All patients aged ≥75 years undergoing inpatient operations between January 2018 and December 2019 were included. Cohort matching by age and procedure code was performed using a national data set. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline pre- and intraoperative characteristics prospectively recorded using Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) variable definitions. Postoperative outcomes were recorded including complications as defined by VASQIP, 30-day mortality, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients participated in the GSV program, and 308 patients comprised the matched comparison group. There was no difference in postoperative occurrence of one or more complications (p = 0.81) or 30-day mortality (p = 0.61). Patients cared for by the GSV Program had a reduced postoperative length of stay (median 4 days [range 1,31] vs. 5 days [range 1,86]; p < 0.01; and mean 5.4 ± 4.8 vs. 8.8 ± 11.8 days; p < 0.01) compared with the matched cohort. In a multivariable regression model, the GSV Program's reduced length of stay was independent of other associated covariates including age, operative time, and comorbidities (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards reduces length of stay in older adults undergoing inpatient operations. This finding demonstrates both the clinical and financial value of the GSV Program.

VA home-based primary care interdisciplinary team structure varies with Veterans' needs, aligns with PACE regulation.

BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary team (IDT) care is central to home-based primary care (HBPC) of frail elders. Traditionally, all HBPC disciplines managed a patient (Full IDT), a costly approach to maintain. The recent PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) regulation provides for a flexible approach of annual assessments from a core team with involvement of additional disciplines dependent upon patient needs (Core+). Current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HBPC guidance specifies Full IDTs care for medically complex and functionally impaired Veterans similar to PACE participants. We evaluated whether VA HBPC has adopted the flexible structure of the PACE regulation, aligned to Veteran needs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: All 139 VA HBPC programs administered across 379 sites. PARTICIPANTS: About 55,173 Veterans enrolled in HBPC during fiscal year 2018. MEASUREMENTS: Patients' HBPC physician, nurse, psychologist/psychiatrist, social worker, therapist, dietitian, and pharmacist visits were grouped into interdisciplinary team types. Patient frailty was classified using VA HNHR v2 (High-Need High-Risk version 2, a measure of high, medium, and low risk of long-term institutionalization). Medical complexity was measured by clusters of impairment in the JEN frailty index (JFI). JFI clusters were validated by VA's Nosos measure to project cost and Care Assessment Need (CAN) measure of hospitalization and mortality risk. RESULTS: HBPC provided Full IDT care to 21%, Core+ care to 54%, and Home Health+ (HHA+) care (skilled home health services plus additional disciplines, without primary care) to 16% of Veterans. Team type was associated with medical complexity (X2 2863.5 [66 df], p < 0.0001). High-risk Veterans (72% of sample) were more likely to receive Full IDT care (X2 62.9, 1 df), p < 0.0001), while low-risk Veterans (28%) were more likely to receive HHA+ care (X2 314.8, 1 df, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is a strong association between HBPC team patterns and patient frailty, indicating tailoring of care to match Veteran needs.

A SBM-DEA based performance evaluation and optimization for social organizations participating in community and home-based elderly care services.

The community and home-based elderly care service system has been proved an effective pattern to mitigate the elderly care dilemma under the background of accelerating aging in China. In particular, the participation of social organizations in community and home-based elderly care service has powerfully fueled the multi-supply of elderly care. As the industry of the elderly care service is in the ascendant, the management lags behind, resulting in the waste of significant social resources. Therefore, performance evaluation is proposed to resolve this problem. However, a systematic framework for evaluating performance of community and home-based elderly care service centers (CECSCs) is absent. To overcome this limitation, the SBM-DEA model is introduced in this paper to evaluate the performance of CECSCs. 186 social organizations in Nanjing were employed as an empirical study to develop the systematic framework for performance evaluation. Through holistic analysis of previous studies and interviews with experts, a systematic framework with 33 indicators of six dimensions (i.e., financial management, hardware facilities, team building, service management, service object and organization construction) was developed. Then, Sensitivity Analysis is used to screen the direction of performance optimization and specific suggestions were put forward for government, industrial associations and CECSCs to implement. The empirical study shows the proposed framework using SBM-DEA and sensitivity analysis is viable for conducting performance evaluation and improvement of CECSCs, which is conducive to the sustainable development of CECSCs.

Location Matters: Disparities in the Likelihood of Receiving Services in Late Life.

Moving beyond typical dichotomous rural-urban categorizations, this study examines older adults' likelihood of receiving home- and community-based services. Data from 1608 individuals aged 60+ who requested assistance from Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia in 2014-2015 were analyzed; 88% of individuals received at least one service. Receiving services was associated with geographic-based factors. Individuals living in completely rural areas were significantly less likely to receive any service compared to individuals in mostly rural (OR = 2.46, p = .003) and mostly urban (OR = 1.97, p = .024) areas. There were subtle but significant geographic-based differences in the likelihood of receiving specific services including food/meal, fresh food, information and referral, in-home care, utilities support, and transportation. Findings provide nuanced insights about geographic-based disparities in the receipt of services and suggest the need for new and modified service delivery strategies that maximize older adults' ability to live.

Salud oral integral para adultos de 60 años: un análisis territorial de su cobertura a 12 años de su implementación / Comprehensive oral health for adults 60 years of age: a territorial analysis of its coverage 12 years after its implementation

INTRODUCCIÓN. Las personas mayores en Chile tienen alta carga de morbilidad oral y de déficit funcional que afecta directamente su calidad de vida. El programa universal GES Salud Oral Integral del adulto de 60 años, implementado desde el 2007, permite a las personas de 60 años acceder a tratamiento odontológico integral, aunque a la fecha se tiene pocos antecedentes de sus resultados. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la cobertura del programa GES 60 para el año 2019 de los beneficiarios FONASA y su variabilidad territorial desagregada por Servicio de Salud (SS), sexo y tipo de prestador (público o compra de servicios). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio observacional ecológico, utilizando fuentes de datos secundarios de uso público (DEIS, FONASA). Se estimó la cobertura nacional total y por sexo, estratificada para cada SS. RESULTADOS. La cobertura del programa en el sector público de salud fue de un 22,8% el año 2019. La menor cobertura se observó en el SS Arica (5,3%) y la mayor en el SS Arauco (37,9%). La cobertura nacional fue significativamente mayor (valor p=0,001) en mujeres (27,1%) que en hombres (17,9%). La compra de servicios a proveedores externos totalizó el 12,2% de las altas dentales, siendo esta proporción heterogénea entre SS con relación inversa entre Compra de servicios y Cobertura. DISCUSIÓN. La cobertura para el año evaluado fue baja, siendo insuficiente para poder resolver la alta carga de morbilidad de las personas mayores chilenas. Existe una amplia variabilidad territorial de la cobertura, presentando diferencias por sexo y en la compra de servicios.

INTRODUCTION. Elderly people in Chile have a high burden of oral morbidity and functional deficits that directly affect their quality of life. The universal GES program: "Comprehensive Oral Health for the 60-year-old adult", implemented since 2007, allows 60-year-olds to access comprehensive dental treatment, however there is limited evidence of its results to date.The aim of this study is to estimate the coverage of the program for the year 2019 of the public health insurance FONASA beneficiaries and their territorial variability disaggregated by Health Service (HS), sex and type of provider (public or purchase of services). MATERIALS AND METHODS. An observational ecological study was carried out, using secondary data from public sources (DEIS, FONASA). Total national coverage and by sex was estimated, stratified for each SS. Results. The coverage of the program in the public health sector was 22.8% in 2019. The lowest coverage was observed in Arica HS (5.3%) and the highest in Arauco HS (37.9%). National coverage was significantly higher (p-value = 0.001) in women (27.1%) than in men (17.9%). Purchase of services from external providers totaled 12.2% of the dental discharges, this pro-portion being heterogeneous between SS with an inverse relationship between "Purchase of services" and "Coverage". DISCUSSION. The coverage for the evaluated year was low, being insufficient to be able to solve the high burden of morbidity of Chilean elderly. There is a wide territorial variability of coverage, presenting differences by sex and in the purchase of services.

Desafios da COVID-19 nas instituições de longa permanência para idosos em países hispano-americanos / COVID-19: challenges in long-term care facilities for older adults in Hispanic American countries

INTRODUÇÃO: Pouco se sabe sobre o enfrentamento e a mitigação da COVID-19 em instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPIs) na América Latina. OBJETIVO: Descrever como os gestores de ILPIs de países hispano-americanos planejaram e adequaram suas rotinas de enfrentamento da COVID-19 e se foram capazes de cumprir as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal baseado na aplicação de uma pesquisa on-line dirigida aos gestores de ILPIs situadas em países hispano-americanos. Um questionário de 46 questões (adotando os princípios da OMS) foi enviado aos participantes. Estatística descritiva foi usada para resumir os dados. RESULTADOS: Vinte e três gestores responderam à pesquisa, totalizando 874 idosos (5 min - 270 máx); um questionário foi excluído por falta de respostas. Quatorze ILPIs (63,60%) eram privadas com fins lucrativos. A taxa de adesão às recomendações da OMS foi superior a 70% para a maioria das questões. Pouco mais da metade das instituições elaborou um plano estratégico de enfrentamento, ou identificou estratégias para lidar com óbitos de casos suspeitos. Dificuldade para a aquisição de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs) foi relatada por 59,10% das ILPIs investigadas. A capacidade de testagem para o SARS-Cov-2 foi reduzida (36,36% das instituições não dispunham de nenhum teste). CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de adesão às recomendações propostas pela OMS para o enfrentamento da COVID-19 foi superior a 70% para a maioria das ILPIs investigadas. Planos estratégicos de enfrentamento foram elaborados em pouco mais da metade das instituições. A disponibilidade de EPIs e a capacidade de testagem para o SARS-Cov-2 mostraram-se bastante insatisfatórias.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about management and mitigation of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities (LTCF) for older adults in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: To describe how the management of LTCF in Hispanic American countries plan and adapt their routines for coping with COVID-19 and whether they have been able to fulfill recommendations published by the World Health Organization (WHO). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted by online survey of managers of LTCF located in Hispanic American i countries. A 46-item questionnaire (adopting the WHO principles) was sent to participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: Twenty-three care home managers replied, responsible for a total of 874 older people (range: 5 - 270). One questionnaire was excluded because of missing responses. Fourteen LTCF (63.60%) were private, for-profit facilities. The rate of compliance with WHO recommendations exceeded 70% for the majority of items. Just over half of the institutions had developed dû a strategic management plan, or had identified strategies for dealing with deaths of suspected cases. Difficulty acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by 59.10% of the LTCF surveyed. The homes' capacity for SARS-Cov-2 testing was limited (36.36% of the institutions did not have any tests). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of compliance with recommendations published by the WHO for dealing with COVID-19 was greater than 70% at the majority of the LTCF surveyed. More than half of the institutions had strategic management plans. Availability of PPE and SARS-Cov-2 testing capacity were very unsatisfactory.

A puertas cerradas: La vejez en instituciones en Buenos Aires y el Interior: 1850-1950 / Behind closed doors: Old age in institutions in Buenos Aires and in the country: 1850-1950

Un aspecto clave de la historia de la vejez es el de la asistencia a los ancianos pobres, enfermos o sin familia, sobre todo durante el siglo XIX y principios del XX que constituyen la edad de oro del asilo de ancianos. Partiendo de esa constatación y de los principales problemas historiográficos involucrados, se propone como objetivo principal reconstruir la oferta de instituciones existentes y la proporción de personas atendidas. Para ello explora, en primer lugar las posibilidades y límites de las escasas fuentes estadísticas disponibles. En segundo término, propone una comparación exploratoria con el interior del país y con la asistencia a otros grupos de edad, en particular los niños. Tanto por la centralidad de los procesos históricos involucrados (crecimiento urbano, impacto de la inmigración, desarrollo de políticas sociales), como por la consecuente disponibilidad de fuentes, el caso porteño constituye el eje central de la indagación. (AU)

Webconferência Saúde do Idoso - Telessaúde ES 23/04/2013

Characteristics and Real-Life Outcomes of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment at a Geriatric Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Various patterns of dementia care have been developed in different settings, depending on the availability of healthcare resources and facilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiology and characteristics of dementia care at a geriatric clinic, a field that has been subject to little prior evaluation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of cohort patients with cognitive impairment who had received a diagnosis and were still on active follow-up at a geriatric clinic. A total of 892 patients were included. In addition, 203 geriatric patients with no cognitive impairment who attended the clinic during the study period were sampled as a control. RESULTS: The main diagnoses of dementia were Alzheimer's disease (AD) (40.1%), vascular dementia (16.9%), unspecified dementia (16.3%), mixed dementia (9.0%), AD with cerebrovascular disease (8.7%), and Parkinson's disease dementia (6.1%). Atypical dementia was presented in 3.0% of cases. There were 178 patients with mild cognitive impairment, 20 with vascular cognitive impairment, and 18 with subjective cognitive decline. Other comorbidities were found in 97% of the subjects. Patients with cognitive impairment had a higher total number of other geriatric syndromes and higher percentages for delirium, falls, immobility, loss of appetite, and incontinence. Potentially reversible causes of dementia were found in 11.3% of the cases. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors were administered to 61%, whereas 23.5% received an NMDA receptor antagonist. The need for a change in the antidementia medication was identified for 10.7% of the subjects; the major cause was adverse drug side effects. Nonpharmacological therapy only was administered to 52.4% of the people with dementia who had behavioral and psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed brain pathologies, comorbidities, and the coexistence of other geriatric syndromes are common at geriatric clinics. Holistic, integrated, and continuous care are needed to improve the outcomes of patients with more complicated comorbidities.

Healthcare pathways and resource use: mapping consequences of ambulance assessment for direct care with alternative healthcare providers.

BACKGROUND: A decision system in the ambulance allowing alternative pathways to alternate healthcare providers has been developed for older patients in Stockholm, Sweden. However, subsequent healthcare resource use resulting from these pathways has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was therefore to describe patient pathways, healthcare utilisation and costs following ambulance transportation to alternative healthcare providers. METHODS: The design of this study was descriptive and observational. Data from a previous RCT, where a decision system in the ambulance enabled alternative healthcare pathways to alternate healthcare providers were linked to register data. The receiving providers were: primary acute care centre or secondary geriatric ward, both located at the same community hospital, or the conventional pathway to the emergency department at an acute hospital. Resource use over 10 days, subsequent to assessment with the decision system, was mapped in terms of healthcare pathways, utilisation and costs for the 98 included cases. RESULTS: Almost 90% were transported to the acute care centre or geriatric ward. The vast majority arriving to the geriatric ward stayed there until the end of follow-up or until discharged, whereas patients conveyed to the acute care centre to a large extent were admitted to hospital. The median patient had 6 hospital days, 2 outpatient visits and costed roughly 4000 euros over the 10-day period. Arrival destination geriatric ward indicated the longest hospital stay and the emergency department the shortest. However, the cost for the 10-day period was lower for cases arriving to the geriatric ward than for those arriving to the emergency department. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the appropriateness of admittance directly to secondary geriatric care for older adults. However, patients conveyed to the acute care centre ought to be studied in more detail with regards to appropriate level of care.

Ambulatory Follow-up and Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries After Emergency Department Discharge.

Importance: Ambulatory follow-up care is frequently recommended after an emergency department (ED) visit. However, the frequency with which follow-up actually occurs and the degree to which follow-up is associated with postdischarge outcomes is unknown. Objectives: To examine the frequency and variation in ambulatory follow-up among Medicare beneficiaries discharged from US EDs and the association between ambulatory follow-up and postdischarge outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study of 9 470 626 ED visits to 4728 US EDs among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older from 2011 to 2016 who survived the ED visit and were discharged to home used Kaplan-Meier curves and proportional hazards regression. Data analysis was conducted from December 2019 to July 2020. Exposures: Ambulatory follow-up after discharge from the ED. Main Outcomes and Measures: Postdischarge mortality, subsequent ED visit, or inpatient hospitalization within 30 days of an index ED visit. Results: The study sample consisted of 9 470 626 index outpatient ED visits to 4684 EDs; most visits (5 776 501 [61.0%]) were among women, and the mean (SD) age of patients was 77.3 (8.4) years. In this sample, the cumulative incidence of ambulatory follow-up was 40.5% (3 822 133 patients) at 7 days and 70.8% (6 662 525 patients) at 30 days, after accounting for censoring and for mortality as a competing risk. Characteristics associated with lower rates of ambulatory follow-up included beneficiary Medicaid eligibility (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% CI, 0.77-0.78; P < .001), Black race (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.83; P < .001), and treatment at a rural ED (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.73-0.77; P < .001) in the multivariable regression model. Ambulatory follow-up was associated with lower risk of postdischarge mortality (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.49-0.50; P < .001) but higher risk of subsequent inpatient hospitalization (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.21-1.23; P < .001) and ED visits (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; P < .001), adjusting for visit diagnosis, patient demographic characteristics, and chronic conditions. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from the ED, nearly 30% lacked ambulatory follow-up at 30 days, with variation in follow-up rates by patient and hospital characteristics. Having an ambulatory follow-up visit was associated with higher risk of subsequent hospitalization but lower risk of mortality. Ambulatory care access may be an important driver of clinical outcomes after an ED visit.

COVID-19 mortality in Lombardy: the vulnerability of the oldest old and the resilience of male centenarians.

Italy was the first European nation to be affected by COVID-19. The biggest cluster of cases occurred in Lombardy, the most populous Italian region, and elderly men were the population hit in the hardest way. Besides its high infectivity, COVID-19 causes a severe cytokine storm and old people, especially those with comorbidities, appear to be the most vulnerable, presumably in connection to inflammaging. In centenarians inflammaging is much lower than predicted by their chronological age and females, presenting survival advantage in almost all centenarian populations, outnumber males, a phenomenon particularly evident in Northern Italy. Within this scenario, we wondered if: a) the COVID-19 mortality in centenarians was lower than that in people aged between 50 and 80 and b) the mortality from COVID-19 in nonagenarians and centenarians highlighted gender differences.We checked COVID-19-related vulnerability/mortality at the peak of infection (March 2020), using data on total deaths (i.e. not only confirmed COVID-19 cases). Our conclusion is that excess mortality increases steadily up to very old ages and at the same time men older than 90 years become relatively more resilient than age-matched females.