Cogprints

Bed blockers: A study on the elderly patients in a teaching hospital in India

Kumar, PN and Shinge, N and Parameshwar, S (2010) Bed blockers: A study on the elderly patients in a teaching hospital in India. [Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)]

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
 PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives.
137Kb

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of in-patients over the age of 60 years was conducted at district McGann Hospital, Shimoga on patients who were classified as bed blockers. Level of dependency and cognitive function of these patients were assessed using Barthel scale and Abbreviated mental test (AMT) respectively. Median age of the study population was 67 years; majority of them were men. Most of them were admitted in the medical ward and the median time to be labeled as bed blocker was 32 days. These bed blockers were a weak group of patients with an average 3.1 pathology per case. Majority of them suffered from neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease. High level of dependence was noted with a mean Barthel score of 29.68 (Range 0 -100). Low levels of cognitive function was also noted among these patients with a mean AMT of 4.76 (Range 0 -10).These findings demonstrate that the bed blockers in McGann hospital suffer not only from genuine health problems but also have a high dependency level in activities of daily living which hamper their discharge to the community. Community based rehabilitation using an intersectoral approach may help at least the less dependent to return home.

Item Type:Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)
Keywords:Bed blockers, Barthel score, Abbreviated mental test
Subjects:JOURNALS > Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences
ID Code:6992
Deposited By: Kakkilaya Bevinje, Dr. Srinivas
Deposited On:13 Sep 2010 03:53
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:57

References in Article

Select the SEEK icon to attempt to find the referenced article. If it does not appear to be in cogprints you will be forwarded to the paracite service. Poorly formated references will probably not work.

1. Coid J, Crome P. Bed blocking in Bromley. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986;292(6530):1253-6

2. Clarke B, Mc Cormack P. Prescribing practices in an Irish Long Term Care Setting. IR Med J. 2003;96(7):203-7

3. Carter ND, Wade TT. Delayed discharges from Oxford city hospitals: who and why? Clin Rehabil. 2002;16(3):315-20

4. Fiorini A. The impact and effectiveness of the introduction of a new geriatric assessment/rehabilitation unit in a mixed health care system in Malta. University of Dundee. 1999. pp 162-63

5. Collin C, Wade DT, Davies S, Horne V. The Barthel ADL Index: a reliability study. Int Disability Study.1988;10:61-63.

6. Qureshi KN, Hodkinson HM. Evaluation of a ten-question mental test in the institutionalized elderly. Age Ageing. 1974 Aug; 3(3):152–157

7. Paul Z, Peter F. Social cases? Malta Medical Journal. 2006;18(2):17-20

8. Schianchi T, Meschi T, Briganti A, et al. Post-acute long stay and extensive rehabilitation: study of the first year of work at a long stay university hospital unit. Ann Ital Med Int. 2001;16(1):32-37

9. Incalzi RA, Gemma A, Capparella O, et al. Predicting mortality and length of stay of geriatric patients in an acute general hospital. J Gerontol. 1992;47(2):35-39

10. Styrborn K, Thorslund M. Delayed discharge of elderly hospital patients- a study of bed blockers in a health care district in Sweden. Scand J Soc Med.1993;21(4):272-80

11. Dodge HH, Sekikawa A, Ueshima H, et al. Cognitive impairment as a strong predicator of specific disability in ADL tasks among community dwelling elders: The Azuchi study. Gerontologist 2005;45(2):222-230

12. VAHI. Report of the independent commission of Health in India, Chapter 14, Health problems of specialized groups.

13. Murphy FW. Blocked Beds. BMJ 1977;28:1(6073):1395-96

Metadata

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Cogprints is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.