title: The short mean length of stay of post-emergency geriatric units is associated with the rate of early readmission in frail elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Specific postemergency short-stay geriatric units may decrease length of hospital stay, functional decline, and early readmission rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors of early rehospitalization in a shortstay geriatric unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective observational study comprising over one year patients aged over 75 years, admitted to the post-emergency short-stay geriatric unit (Hôpital Saint André, Bordeaux, France) and discharged home. Socio-demographic data, length of hospital stay, and a standardized geriatric assessment were collected for all patients. One month after home discharge, patients were followed-up by phone, and the hospital readmission rate was calculated.
  
  
  METHODS
  descriptive, unvaried and multivariate analyses were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 476 patients were included in this study (mean age 86.5±6 yrs; 154 men, 322 women). Mean length of stay in the post-emergency short-stay geriatric unit was 6.3±2.7 days, and a total of 68 (14.3%) patients were readmitted within one month after home discharge. The readmission rate was associated with a diagnosis of delirium (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.3; p=0.02), mean length of stay exceeding 6 days (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.5; p=0.02), and decision of home discharge (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4-4.1; p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short mean lengths of stay were not considered as a risk factor for readmissions within one month, even in frail, dependent, hospitalized elderly persons.
authors: Post-emergency Geriatric Unit, Hôpital St André, Bordeaux, France.
authors: Thalie
authors: T
authors: Traissac
authors: Marie-Neige
authors: MN
authors: Videau
authors: Marie-José
authors: MJ
authors: Bourdil
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Bourdel-Marchasson
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Salles
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors