Emergency Department and Hospital Use Among Cognitively Vulnerable Medicare Advantage Enrollees
Author Information
Author(s): Fortinsky Richard, Lu Xiaomin, Grady James, Robison Julie, Steffens David, Kuchel George
Primary Institution: University of Connecticut
Hypothesis
What factors are associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations among older adults enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and living with cognitive vulnerability?
Conclusion
Medical comorbidity burden and a history of delirium are important risk factors for subsequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations in older adults with cognitive vulnerability.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants with more medical comorbidities were more likely to visit the emergency department.
- Those with depression only were less likely to visit the emergency department compared to those with recent delirium.
- 26.4% of participants had more than one hospitalization.
Takeaway
This study looked at older adults with memory problems and found that those with more health issues or a history of confusion are more likely to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized.
Methodology
The study used a cohort of 406 adults over 65 who completed a 12-month clinical trial, linking baseline interview data with medical claims for ED and hospital use.
Participant Demographics
58.4% female, mean age 76.1 years, 92.1% White, 4.7% Black.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.001; p=0.02; p=0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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