The very old in intensive care: Admission characteristics, mortality and supports needed at six months postdischarge. (12th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsang, Jessica; Bloomfield, Katherine; Lawrey, Ywain; Wu, Zhenqiang; Connolly, Martin J.
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 39:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 305
• Page End: 309
• Publication Date: 2020-04-12
• Subjects: critical care -- geriatrics -- mortality; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To describe survival and six‐month outcomes (residence, community supports) in the very old (≥80 years) admitted to intensive care in Waitemata District Health Board, New Zealand. Methods: Hospital records of patients 80 years and over admitted from August 2015 to June 2017 were reviewed. Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were admitted (median age: 83). Standard ICU risk scores predicted survival to hospital discharge. Patients admitted electively were more likely to survive to discharge than emergency ICU/HDU admissions ( P = .007). Ninety‐two (79%) survived to hospital discharge, and 84 (72%) survived to 6 months. Eighty‐four were discharged home (91% of survivors), and 79 were living at home at 6 months (94% of survivors). Community supports increased from admission (34, 29%) to 6 months later (34, 43% of community dwellers). Forty‐four (47.8% surviving to discharge) were readmitted within 6 months. Conclusions: Most patients are alive at discharge and 6 months, with a majority requiring no formal supports.