Wang, L.-H.; Lee, H.-L.; Lin, C.-C.; Lan, C.-J.; Huang, P.-T.; Han, C.-Y. Factors Associated with Return Visits by Elders within 72 Hours of Discharge from the Emergency Department. Healthcare2023, 11, 1726.
Wang, L.-H.; Lee, H.-L.; Lin, C.-C.; Lan, C.-J.; Huang, P.-T.; Han, C.-Y. Factors Associated with Return Visits by Elders within 72 Hours of Discharge from the Emergency Department. Healthcare 2023, 11, 1726.
Wang, L.-H.; Lee, H.-L.; Lin, C.-C.; Lan, C.-J.; Huang, P.-T.; Han, C.-Y. Factors Associated with Return Visits by Elders within 72 Hours of Discharge from the Emergency Department. Healthcare2023, 11, 1726.
Wang, L.-H.; Lee, H.-L.; Lin, C.-C.; Lan, C.-J.; Huang, P.-T.; Han, C.-Y. Factors Associated with Return Visits by Elders within 72 Hours of Discharge from the Emergency Department. Healthcare 2023, 11, 1726.
Abstract
Elders have a higher rate of return visits to the emergency department (ED) than other patients. It is critical to understand the risk factors for return visits to the ED by elders. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with return visits to the ED by elders. This study retrospectively reviewed the hospital charts of elders who return visits to the ED within 72 hours after discharge. The risk factors identified in the Triage Risk Screening Tool were applied in this study. Of the elders discharged from the ED, 8.64% made a return visit to the ED within 72 hours. The highest revisit rate occurred within 24 hours after discharge. Factors associated with return ED visits within 24 hours by elders were difficulty walking and having discharge care needs. Factors associated with ED return visits within 24–48 hours were cognitive impairment and polypharmacy. Difficulty walking, having discharge care needs and hospitalization within the past 120 days were associated with return visits made within 48–72 hours following discharge. Identifying the reasons for return visits to the ED and providing a continuous review of geriatric assessment and discharge planning could reduce unnecessary revisits.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
