One‐year mortality among newly admitted older patients in a long‐term care hospital in South Korea

• Published in: Australasian journal on ageing 2018-09, Vol.37 (3), p.232-235
• Main Authors: Kim, Mi Sook, Shin, Dong‐Soo, Kim, SookNyeo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cause of Death; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Hospital Mortality; Hospitals; Humans; Length of Stay; Long-Term Care; Male; mortality; Patient Admission; Patient Discharge; Pilot Projects; Prognosis; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Time Factors
• ISSN: 1440-6381; 1741-6612
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12567

Objectives Older Korean people's admission to long‐term care (LTC) hospitals is increasing. This study aimed to investigate one‐year mortality and related factors among older patients admitted to a LTC hospital. Methods Medical records of 330 patients admitted to a LTC hospital in 2014 were reviewed. Factors related to death were identified using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results About 35% of the patients died within a year, and their average length of survival was 42.3 (SD = 68.4) days. Predictors of mortality within one year were as follows: cancer (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.04); aged 85 and older (HR = 2.61); dependency: K‐ADL ≥ 21 (HR = 2.14); male sex (HR = 1.95); respiratory disease (HR = 1.68); cognitive function (HR = 1.65); and abnormal serum sodium level (HR = 1.65). Conclusion At admission, proper assessment and planning for older patients at risk are beneficial to minimise negative consequences. The roles of LTC hospitals need further discussion.