Gallagher P, Henry C, O'Callaghan N
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork.
Ir Med J. 2008 Mar;101(3):70-2.
There is a perception that relatives of older patients "block" their discharge from acute hospitals, thereby compounding the capacity crises of Ireland's A+E departments. This study prospectively analyses 1,240 consecutive referrals to the discharge co-ordinator of an acute general hospital over a two-year period. The number of bed-days consumed by all patients whose discharge was delayed was calculated, in addition to reasons for delay and whether or not patients' relatives were opposing discharge. There were 90 cases of delayed discharge resulting in 2,436 bed-days consumed over the study period. Reasons for delays principally centred on access to long-term care facilities and organisation of community supports. Patients' relatives opposed discharge in 9 of the 90 delayed cases. Concerns expressed by patients' relatives reflected the paucity of community supports available for older people and their carers. Older people's relatives are patient advocates and seek appropriate facilities for those whom they represent.
有一种观点认为，老年患者的亲属会“阻碍”他们从急症医院出院，从而加剧爱尔兰急症室部门的容量危机。本研究前瞻性地分析了一家急症综合医院在两年时间里连续转介给出院协调员的1240例病例。除了延迟出院的原因以及患者亲属是否反对出院外，还计算了所有延迟出院患者消耗的住院天数。在研究期间，有90例延迟出院病例，共消耗了2436个住院天数。延迟出院的原因主要集中在获得长期护理设施和社区支持的组织安排上。在90例延迟出院的病例中，有9例患者的亲属反对出院。患者亲属表达的担忧反映出老年人及其照顾者可获得的社区支持匮乏。老年人的亲属是患者权益的倡导者，并为他们所代表的人寻求合适的设施。
