Death and discharge from a geriatric department

Abstract

Discharge and death of in-patients has been studied by life-table analyses of outcome of over 2000 admissions to a department of geriatric medicine. Mortality risk is shown to be greater for men and in those who are older, had constitutional upset, dehydration or a low mental test score and who were admitted without a wait. Men who lived alone or were previously inactive and women who had had a previous admission to the department were found to have a lower risk of death. The prospects of discharge are equal in men and women but are less for those who are older, have low mental test scores, were previously inactive, waited for admission or were admitted from an institution. Women with dehydration or a previous admission to the department are also less likely to be discharged.