Hobler K E, Howlett P A
QRB Qual Rev Bull. 1985 Nov;11(11):339-41.
The very elderly who underwent major surgical procedures had longer hospital stays and higher total charges than the younger age group in the majority of DRGs studied. Higher mortality rates in the very elderly for most of the DRGs were found to be associated with emergency surgery for conditions that carry very high mortality rates when surgery is not performed. Surgery in the very elderly, then, although from 30% to 40% more costly in terms of hospital days and charges, should not be withheld on the basis of age alone. Careful assessment of risks to each individual patient should be continued and can result in acceptable mortality rates.
在大多数所研究的诊断相关分组（DRG）中，接受大型外科手术的高龄患者比年轻患者住院时间更长，总费用更高。研究发现，在大多数DRG中，高龄患者的死亡率较高，这与因某些疾病进行急诊手术有关，而这些疾病若不进行手术，死亡率会非常高。因此，尽管从住院天数和费用来看，高龄患者的手术费用要高出30%至40%，但不应仅基于年龄而拒绝为其进行手术。应继续对每位患者的风险进行仔细评估，这样可使死亡率处于可接受范围内。
