Overview

The increasing activity of emergency departments, coupled with a decrease in the number of hospital beds, is leading to operational changes, of which the Short-Stay Unit (UHCD) is one example. Initially designed for stays of less than 24 hours, it now finds itself providing supplementary hospitalization for downstream services, which is detrimental to the most vulnerable elderly patients.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient aged ≥ 75 years
• Patient admitted to the Strasbourg Emergency Department (Hautepierre and NHC) during 2019 for an acute medical problem
• Patient with an indication for hospitalization in a conventional medical ward

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient who died during their visit to the Emergency Department prior to hospitalization
• Patient admitted for a scheduled hospitalization
• Patient not requiring hospitalization in a conventional medical ward (either discharged home after the Emergency Department visit or admitted to intensive care)
• Patient admitted to the Emergency Department for a surgical condition