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Research paper| Volume 20, ISSUE 4, P169-173, November 2017

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Emergency department presentations by older people for mental health or drug and alcohol conditions: A multicentre retrospective audit

  • Margaret Fry
    Correspondence
    Corresponding author at: Director of Research and Practice Development, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Level 7, Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
    Affiliations
    Research and Practice Development, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia

    University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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  • Steve Kay
    Affiliations
    Specialist Mental Health for Older People, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
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  • Rosalind M. Elliott
    Affiliations
    Research and Practice Development, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia

    University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Published:October 17, 2017DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aenj.2017.09.001

      Abstract

      Purpose

      Emergency department presentations by older people associated with mental health and drug and alcohol related conditions are increasing. However, the characteristics of presentations by older people in Australia are largely unknown. The aim of this research was to explore the characteristics of older people presenting with mental health and drug and alcohol conditions.

      Procedures

      We used a retrospective electronic medical record audit to explore all emergency department presentations by older people 65 years and over for mental health and drug and alcohol related conditions over a 12 month period. Data were described using descriptive statistics.

      Finidngs

      There were 40,093 presentations; 2% (n = 900) were related to mental health or drug and alcohol related conditions. Presentations were mainly associated with primary mental or medical symptoms. The majority were female (n = 471; 53%). Predominate conditions were cognitive impairment (n = 234; 26%) and affective disorders (n = 233; 26.0%). Sixty-three percent of patients were admitted to a hospital ward. Over the study period 106 patients (242 episodes of care) represented.

      Principle conclusions

      Given the ageing population and increasing prevalence for mental health and drug and alcohol conditions, strategies are required to better recognise these conditions to reduce the burden on the health care system and improve health for older people.

      Keywords

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