Characteristics of older people with cognitive impairment attending emergency departments: A descriptive study

Abstract

SummaryObjective: The objective of this paper is to describe the profile of older people with cognitive impairment (CI) presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Methods: This was a multi-centre (n = 8) observational study of a convenience sample of older (≥70 y) ED patients (n = 579). Participants were prospectively assessed for CI and surveyed for the duration of their ED stay (n = 191). A picture of patients' health status and ED responses to care needs was obtained through application of standardised assessment tools. Additionally, observations of care processes in ED were undertaken. Demographic data were collected through both ED's information system and survey. Outcome data were collected 28 days post-ED visit using follow-up telephone interviews. Results: Of 579 older persons, 191 (33%) persons met criteria for CI. The majority of older ED patients with CI in ED lived in the community (157/177, 88.7%), arrived by ambulance (116/172, 67%), were accompanied by a support person (94/149, 63%), were triaged as urgent to semiurgent (157/191, 82%), and were hospitalised (108/172, 57%). The median ED length of stay was 6 h. In ED, 53% of the sample experienced pain (92/173). Older ED patients with CI pose the following characteristics: prior hospital admissions (43/129, 33%), incontinence (61/178, 34%), * Corresponding author at: School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

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