The Tendency of Elderly Patients Who Transferred from Long-term Care Hospital to Emergency Room, 2014–2019
10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.2.173
- Author:
Sung-keun KO
1
;
Seonji KIM
;
Tae Young LEE
;
Jin-Hee LEE
Author Information
1. Central Emergency Medical Center, National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Health Policy and Management
2022;32(2):173-179
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:This study aimed to identify patterns of elderly patients who transferred from long-term care hospitals to emergency rooms and provide the evidence of emergency medical systems to prepare for a super-aged society.
Methods:The data source was the National Emergency Department Information System database from January 2014 to December 2019 in Korea. We performed a cross-sectional study among elderly patients (≥65 years) who transferred from a long-term care hospital to an emergency room. Trend analysis was conducted by year.
Results:We identified 225,765 elderly patients who were transferred from long-term care hospitals to emergency rooms between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. The proportion of the study population and their mean age were recently increased (p<0.001, respectively). The proportion of elderly patients being re-transferred (p=0.049) and the patients re-transferred to long-term care hospitals is significantly increased (p=0.005).
Conclusion:The establishment of efficient emergency medical services for an aging society is important. It is necessary to develop a healthcare network with the government, long-term care hospitals, and medical institutions in the community suitable for preventing disease deterioration.
