Profile of the geriatric patient hospitalised at Universitas Hospital, South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundThe elderly population in Africa is unevenly distributed across the continent, with the highest percentage of elderly living in the Southern African region. In 1996, the elderly population of South Africa (65 years and older) was roughly 6.7%, and was calculated to be 10.4% by 2025. If the latter expectation is anywhere near realistic, it stands to reason that the Department of Health should make timely provision for the care of these future patients, as the prevailing disease patterns within a population change as that population ages. Thus, there is an urgent need for profiles of elderly patients in order for adequate training to be implemented and for beds and equipment to be ready when needed. MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken of all data available from a clinical audit done at Universitas Hospital's Geriatric Unit. All patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted by Internal Medicine's Geriatric Unit over four years were analysed in order to compile a profile of geriatric patients hospitalised at Universitas Hospital. ResultsThe study group consisted of 791 elderly patients. Their average age was 81 years (range: 65 to 101 years of age) and they were hospitalised for an average of 11 days, with an average use of five medications per patient. Women represented 66% of the patients and the mortality rate was 17% in the total study group. The main admitting clinical problems were hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease and anaemia. Most of the patients did not smoke or use alcohol. Out of a group of 523(due to the fact that it was a retrospective study, data for this criteria were only available for 523 of the 791 patients), 235 (45%) were self-supporting and 32% were known to use living aids. The majority of the patients were single and an equal amount were living in old age homes and with their families. The main special examinations used in their treatment were chest X-rays, nuclear examinations of the liver, ECG, heart sonar and CT of the brain, and gastroscopies. Almost all of the patients had undergone full blood count analysis and U+E determinations, and in more than 50% of cases, creatine, albumin and glucose measurements were taken. ConclusionFor successful geriatric care at Universitas Hospital there will be a need for at least 11 days hospitalisation, and a unit with good training in internal medicine, psychiatry, urology, orthopaedy and oncology. The main supporting services will be physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social welfare. Laboratory analyses will include full blood count, urea and electrolyte measurements, urine examination, and creatine and glucose measurements. Special investigations will mainly be radiology and cardiology sonar examination. How well we care for elderly patients in the future will be an indicator of the quality of our healthcare system in general. We need to redesign our social insurance and welfare systems to fit the realities of our current situation. SA Fam Pract 2007;49(2):14The full version of this article is avai...

Profile of geriatric presentations at the emergency department of a rural district hospital in South Africa

“…In South Africa, the elderly population has increased from 6.7% in 1996 to 9% (i.e. 5.3 million) of the population in 2019 [ 4 , 14 ] and it has been estimated to rise to 10.4% by 2025 [ 15 ]. It is therefore of necessity that all healthcare facilities across the country make provision for the care of these group of patients, since it has been shown that the prevailing disease patterns within these age group vary from that of the younger generation [ 12 ].…”

“…In addition, geriatric patients are four to six times more likely to be admitted to an emergency unit than a non-elderly patient [ 16 ]. There is an urgent need for healthcare facilities to profile the elderly patients presenting at their emergency department (ED) in order for adequate training to be implemented and for appropriate strategies and instruments to be put in place [ 14 ]. Management of geriatric patients in the ED is a vital issue, not only because of their rapidly increasing population, but also because of their specific and complex characteristics and risk of adverse outcomes [ 17 ].…”

Retrospective analysis of the prevalence and causes of anaemia in hospitalised elderly patients

“…The mortality rate in the total study group of 791 patients hospitalised in the Geriatric Unit was 16.6% (n = 131), 6 and in the anaemic group it was 18.0% (27/150) for female and 18.6% (16/86) for male patients, confirming that anaemia is associated with a slightly increased mortality rate in geriatric hospitalised patients. 2…”

Clinical Conditions of Hospitalized Older Adult Patients and Their Outcomes in a Regional Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda

“…Other countries have reported a different disease spectrum in a similar population. In one of the few African studies, hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and anemia were reported as the most predominant causes of hospitalization [ 15 ]. Besides diabetes, the main cause for hospitalization in Europe, the other main conditions include cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases, which are similar to what we observed in this study [ 16 ].…”