Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Division of Health Sciences Education, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Aug 5;36:245. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.245.22530. eCollection 2020.
the geriatric population is increasing in South Africa and globally. According to Statistics South Africa (STATSSA), people aged 60 years or older constitute approximately 8.4%-9.3% of the population in the Free State province, South Africa, the majority of which are rural dwellers. Elderly patients constitute a high percentage of patients presenting at the emergency department (ED) and it has been suggested that understanding the pattern of geriatric morbidities presenting at the ED can help prepare the healthcare workers and the healthcare system to confront the challenges of delivering acute geriatric care. In this present study, we compiled the profile of geriatric patients that presented at the ED of Botshabelo district hospital (BDH), Free State province, South Africa, with the aim of formulating evidence-based strategies to improving quality of service and patient outcome.
this was a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional clinical audit of all geriatric cases (≥ 65 years), that presented at the ED of BDH from January 1 2017, to March 31 2017.
geriatric cases accounted for 25% of the total adult ED presentation at BDH. The majority (66.6%, n=197) of the patients were female and the mean age at presentation was 75 years. The majority (63.5%) of cases were self-referred and trauma (fracture) was the most frequently diagnosed morbidity. More than half (53.7%) of the cases were classified as priority 2 (P2) and the average waiting time was 86 ± 93 minutes. Less than half of the patients (48.3%; n=143) were admitted for further management, while 36.1% (n=107) of them were discharged from the ED. The remaining 46 cases (15.5%) were referred to a tertiary hospital for further management.
it is crucial that healthcare facilities in South Africa recognise the special needs of elderly patients due to the growing aging population. Compiling the profile of geriatric cases presenting at ED can help identify crucial area of need and help prepare the healthcare workers and the healthcare system to confront challenges of delivering acute geriatric care. Findings presented herein will assist in formulating evidence-based strategies to improve geriatric patient outcome at the ED in BDH.
在南非和全球范围内，老年人口正在增加。根据南非统计局（STATSSA）的数据，在南非自由州省，年龄在 60 岁或以上的人口约占总人口的 8.4%-9.3%，其中大多数是农村居民。在急诊科（ED）就诊的老年患者占很大比例，有人认为了解 ED 就诊的老年多发病模式有助于帮助医护人员和医疗系统为提供急性老年护理的挑战做好准备。在本研究中，我们整理了在南非自由州省博茨哈贝洛地区医院（BDH）急诊科就诊的老年患者的资料，旨在制定基于证据的策略，以提高服务质量和患者预后。
这是一项对 2017 年 1 月 1 日至 2017 年 3 月 31 日期间在 BDH 急诊科就诊的所有老年病例（≥65 岁）进行的描述性、回顾性、横断面临床审计。
老年病例占 BDH 成年急诊科就诊总人数的 25%。大多数（66.6%，n=197）患者为女性，就诊时的平均年龄为 75 岁。大多数（63.5%）病例为自行就诊，创伤（骨折）是最常见的诊断疾病。超过一半（53.7%）的病例被归类为优先级 2（P2），平均等待时间为 86±93 分钟。不到一半的患者（48.3%；n=143）入院接受进一步治疗，而 36.1%（n=107）的患者从 ED 出院。其余 46 例（15.5%）被转诊到三级医院进行进一步治疗。
由于老年人口不断增加，南非的医疗保健设施必须认识到老年患者的特殊需求。整理 ED 就诊的老年病例资料有助于确定关键需求领域，并帮助医护人员和医疗系统为提供急性老年护理的挑战做好准备。本文提出的研究结果将有助于制定基于证据的策略，以改善 BDH ED 老年患者的预后。
