Patient Lengths of stay in a regional orthogeriatrics unit

Abstract

Objectives: To determine preadmission patient characteristics, incidence of post‐operative delirium and lengths of stay (LOS) in the Orthogeriatrics unit in a Tertiary Health Centre from 01/11/2017–31/01/2018, and to determine if preadmission characteristics impact LOS.

Method: A retrospective review of patient records of the Orthogeriatrics unit, from 01/11/2017–31/01/2018 was conducted. Fields reviewed were: demographics, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), anticholinergic drug burden index (ADBI), documented post‐operative delirium and total LOS in the health service.

A multiple regression analysis was run to determine if age, CCI and ADBI impacted on LOS.

Results: 77 participants were identified – 7 were transferred preoperatively and excluded ages ranged from 59–93 years (Median 83 years.) 21 were from a residential aged care facility (RACF). Median CCI was 6 in RACF dwellers, 5 in non‐RACF dwellers. Median ADBI was 0.33 for RACF dwellers, 0 for non‐RACF dwellers. Post‐operative delirium occurred in 17 patients (24%), 10 were RACF dwellers. Median LOS for RACF dwellers was 6 days, and 16.5 days for non‐RACF dwellers.

A multiple regression analysis was run to predict LOS from age, CCI and ADBI. Age was the only statistically significant factor linked with increased LOS in non‐RACF dwellers. There was no statistically significant determinant of LOS in RACF dwellers.

Conclusion: Age was the only characteristic linked to longer LOS, only in non‐RACF dwellers. RACF dwellers had shorter LOS. Post‐operative delirium was noted in 24% of patients and did not affect LOS