PROFILE OF GERIATRIC PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCE DEPARTMENT

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in geriatric population as a result of healthcare advancement and improved living condition has resulted in a demographic shift in the recent years. The rising geriatric population is a concern for the emergency departments, they should be well equipped and adequately staffed with trained personnel.

Materials and methods: Cross - sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India from November 2021 to October 2023.

Results: Among the 100 patients, males were 51 %. Most of the patients belonged to the age group 65 – 69 years (32%). 42% patients were triaged as red, 33 % as yellow. The most common co-morbidity seen in the geriatric cohort was hypertension (54%), diabetes mellitus (26%), ischemic heart disease (22%). Among the supplemental oxygen delivery devices, oxygen mask was used most commonly followed by invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high flow nasal cannula. Around 16% of the patients required inotropic drugs. Most common presenting complaint was breathlessness followed by fever, cough, trauma and swelling. The most frequent diagnosis was lower respiratory tract infections. Heart failure and strokes are also common. Most of them were diagnosed with multiple diseases.

Conclusions: The demographics of geriatric patients provide insight into the prevalent conditions and assist us in preparing our emergency rooms to address them.