Predictors of return visits to the emergency department among different age groups of older adults
Abstract
Objective To identify predictors of 30-day emergency department (ED) return visits in patients age 65-79 years and age ≥ 80 years.Methods This was a cohort study of older adults who presented to the ED over a 1-year period. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify predictors for returning to the ED within 30 days. We stratified the cohort into those aged 65-79 years and aged ≥80 years. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. This study adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines.Results A total of 21,460 ED visits representing 14,528 unique patients were included. The overall return rate was 15% (1998/13,300 visits) for age 65-79 years, and 16% (1306/8160 visits) for age ≥ 80 years. A history of congestive heart failure (CHF), dementia, or prior hospitalization within 2 years were associated with increased odds of returning in both age groups (for age 65-79: CHF aOR 1.36 [CI 1.16-1.59], dementia aOR 1.27 [CI 1.07-1.49], prior hospitalization aOR 1.36 [CI 1.19-1.56]; for age ≥ 80: CHF aOR 1.32 [CI 1.13-1.55], dementia aOR 1.22 [CI 1.04-1.42], and prior hospitalization aOR 1.27 [CI 1.09-1.47]). Being admitted from the ED was associated with decreased odds of returning to the ED within 30 days (aOR 0.72 [CI 0.64-0.80] for age 65-79 years and 0.72 [CI 0.63-0.82] for age ≥ 80).Conclusion Age alone was not an independent predictor of return visits. Prior hospitalization, dementia and CHF were predictors of 30-day ED return. The identification of predictors of return visits may help to optimize care transition in the ED.
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Community-dwelling older adults living with dementia are at high risk for repeated emergency department visits.
“Community-dwelling older adults living with dementia are at high risk for repeated emergency department (ED) visits.[13][14][15]”
From Factors associated with recurrent emergency department visits among people living with dementia: A retrospective cohort study (2023) · cites this paper as [14]
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- Authors
- Oliveira J. e Silva, L., Jeffery, M. M., Campbell, R. L., Mullan, A. F., Takahashi, P. Y., & Bellolio, F.
- Affiliations
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bellolio, Fernanda
- Venue
- The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-08
- Volume
- 46
- Pages
- 241-246
- ISSN
- 0735-6757 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3044666743
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 2.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Hospital Admissions and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Chronic Disease Management Strategies
- Keywords
- emergency department return visits, older adults, age differences, congestive heart failure, dementia, prior hospitalization, care transitions, predictors of readmission
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Utilization Review
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