Journal article
Older patients have an increased risk of in-hospital death and adverse events following overnight stays in the emergency department
Evidence-based nursing, Vol.28(3), pp.115-115
07/2025
PMID: 38575210
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Methods: The purpose of the study by Roussel et al2 was to investigate whether older patients (≥75 years) who spent a night in ED waiting for admission to a hospital ward were at increased risk of in-hospital mortality and adverse events. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality at 30 days, and secondary outcomes included in-hospital adverse events (ie, falls, nosocomial infection, myocardial infarction, pressure ulcer) and hospital length of stay (LoS). Patients with limited autonomy who required assistance had an almost twofold higher risk of in-hospital death.2 Commentary There is a growing body of evidence highlighting the deleterious impact of ED crowding, access block and prolonged ED stays on patient safety, care quality and patient outcomes.3 The findings of Roussel et al 2 are consistent with previous studies, which have reported an association between ED crowding and delayed service delivery, which in turn negatively affect patient outcomes.4 Crowding and access block in ED are widely recognised as ‘wicked problems’ (problems that are particularly challenging due to complexity, multiple factors, constant state of flux) which require complex and adaptive solutions.1 Roussel et al2 make an important contribution to the literature, highlighting the specific risks of overnight night stays in ED for older adults, particularly those with limited autonomy.
Details
- Title
- Older patients have an increased risk of in-hospital death and adverse events following overnight stays in the emergency department
- Creators
- Rachel Muir - Griffith UniversityElizabeth Elder - Griffith University
- Publication Details
- Evidence-based nursing, Vol.28(3), pp.115-115
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and RCN Publishing Company Ltd
- Number of pages
- 1
- Identifiers
- 991013317613102368
- Copyright
- © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. No commercial re-use.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article