Medical admissions of oncology patients to the University Hospital of the West Indies.

A prospective study of 80 oncology patients (42 men, 38 women; mean age 50.3 years) admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, was conducted over a six month period (August 1, 1995 to January 31, 1996). There were 103 admissions representing 8.7% of total admissions to the medical wards. Solid tumours and haematological malignancies accounted for equal proportions of admissions. 62% were emergency admissions. Investigation of constitutional symptoms, abnormal physical findings, infection and chemotherapy were the commonest reasons for admission. Complications developed in 42.7% of admissions, the commonest being renal and/or hepatic impairment; anaemia, leukopaenia and thrombocytopenia; and nosocomial infections. 35% of the patients died during the study period. The mean length of stay was 12.9 days (SD 12.8). Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in admissions involving an initial diagnosis of cancer and in those resulting in complications (p < 0.001).