Characteristics and determinants of survival in oldest old nursing home residents admitted to hospital with an acute illness compared to their younger counterparts.

Background And Objectives: The clinical problems and needs of our oldest old (≥85 years) are often substantially different from those of younger patients, and are arguably different from younger elderly patients (age 65-84). With the increasing number of frail oldest olds residing in Nursing Homes (NH), we aim to identify differences in prognostic indicators and outcomes in this age group compared to younger NH residents.

Methods: We retrospectively identified all consecutive admissions from NHs to an Acute Medical Assessment Unit between January 2005 and December 2007.

Community-based fall assessment compared with hospital-based assessment in community-dwelling older people over 65 at high risk of falling: a randomized study.

Background And Aims: The effectiveness of community-based fall assessment programs in older people is unclear. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of community-based fall assessment compared with hospital-based assessment.

Methods: A randomized un-blind study was conducted in 369 older adults aged 65 years and over at high risk of falling.

Vital signs as determinants of immediate and longer term mortality outcome of patients admitted from nursing homes.

Background And Aims: Hospital admissions from Nursing Homes (NHs) are associated with high mortality. Identifying people with a poor prognosis admitted from NHs is essential to inform appropriate clinical decision making.

Methods: We identified all consecutive admissions from NHs (all ages) to an Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMU) of a large District General Hospital in UK with a catchment population of ~360,000 between January 2005-December 2007 and reviewed their outcome to end of March 2009 (median follow-up=133 days).

What is the effect of a consultant presence in an acute medical unit?

A cornerstone of the development of acute medicine has been the principle of consultant presence within the acute medical unit (AMU). There is the hypothesis that consultant supervision improves patient care. This view is not currently supported by firm scientific evidence.