[Application of RUG-T18 classification system to elderly patients admitted to a university hospital].
BACKGROUND
Among case mix classifications, the best for hospitalized elders is the Resource Utilization Groups (RUG) system, which allows a better location of patients, resource administration and the design of health care strategies for elderly people.


OBJECTIVE
To report the results of RUG-T18 classification of elderly patients admitted to an university hospital.


METHODS
RUG-T18 classification was applied to 210 patients aged 75.2 +/- 7.2 years old, 108 male, admitted to the Clinical Hospital of the Catholic University of Chile.


RESULTS
The clinical classification of assessed patients was rehabilitation in 50.9% of cases, special care in 10.5%, clinically complex in 37.1% and reduced physical functions in 0.5%. None had behavioral alterations. There were no differences between subjects older or younger than 75 years old. Daily life activities showed that help was required for sphincter control in 46% of patients, for feeding in 44% and for mobilization in 64% (28% of patients required help from two or more people). Geriatric assessment showed that, since 1993, the proportion of elders with greater functional derangement increased from 18 to 28%, and the proportion of those with mental disturbances from 4 to 12%, specially among those over 75 years old.


CONCLUSIONS
Most elders admitted to the hospital are classified in the superior categories of the RUG-T18 system and have severe mental and functional limitations. These patients require a multidisciplinary approach with a great emphasis in rehabilitation.
Marín
P P
PP
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Valenzuela
E
E
Castro
S
S
Rodríguez
F
F
Molina
O
O
Cubillos
A M
AM
de la Paz
M
M
Gómez
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002677:Chile; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
Resultados al aplicar el sistema de clasificación de pacientes "RUG-T18" en ancianos ingresados a un hospital universitario.