Assessment of the geriatric patient in the internal medicine service

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in the population of the elderly, added to the increase in pluripatology and polypharmacy, makes their admission to hospitals more and more frequent. Objectives: To establish the profile of the geriatric patient older than 75 years, with pluripatology and treated in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Virgen de la Concha Hospital. Analyze the results of the functional assessment through the Barthel scale. Identify the social situation through the Gijón scale. Methods: Retrospective observational study in the internal medicine hospitalization unit over a year. Descriptive analysis of variables: demographic (age, sex); functional capacity and social assessment. The data obtained from the Gacela Care software application. Results: 1285 admissions were made, with an average age of 78 years. A sample of 915 patients ≥75 years old was obtained, with a mean age of 85.9 ± 5.4 years (75-101), mode 89 and median 86 years. 43.5% are ≥85 years. 53.11% women and 46.88% men. Average hospital stay 7.4 ± 5.2 days (0-66). Dependency assessment: 38.57% with total dependence (62.32% women); 9.61% severe dependence (54.54% women); 15.19% moderate dependence (54.67% women); 26.22% mild dependence (47.08% women); 10.38% independent (30.56% women). Social situation: 28.80% without risk (64.63% women); 60.30% good social situation (47.37% women); 6.2% average social situation (56.60% women); and 4.68% severe social deterioration (52.5% women) Conclusions: The profile of the patients studied approximates that of “geriatric patient”. The highest percentage presents a level of total dependence, causing greater demand for care and resources. There are few patients with severe social impairment. There are a greater number of total dependent patients without institutionalizing. Therefore, the burden of care for these patients is carried out by family members from home, justifying the importance of the assessment of caregivers and evaluation of resources related to family overload and primary caregiver.