title: Evaluation of older adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of failure to thrive.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  older adults are sometimes hospitalized with the admission diagnosis of failure to thrive (FTT), often because they are not felt safe to be discharged back to their current living arrangement. It is unclear if this diagnosis indicates primarily a social admission or suggests an acute medical deterioration. The objective of this study was to explore the level of acuity and medical investigations commonly conducted among older hospitalized adults with a diagnosis of FTT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective cohort study at three hospitals in Calgary, Alberta. Data were extracted from the electronic medical records of the 603 admissions of patients 65 years or older with a diagnosis of FTT between January 2010 and January 2011. Markers of medical acuity were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vast majority of patients had short hospital stays. Specialist physicians were consulted for 323 cases (54%). Allied health-care professionals were consulted in 151 cases (25%). While in hospital, patients underwent extensive investigations, including CT scans, ultrasounds, and echo-cardiograms. Many patients received IV fluids (71%) and IV antibiotics (35%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest that acute illnesses, and not social factors, were the primary reason for admission among those given a diagnosis of FTT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB;
authors.forename: Linas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kumeliauskas
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fruetel
authors.forename: Jayna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Holroyd-Leduc
keywords: failure to thrive; level of acuity; older adults