Prospective follow-up study of elderly patients discharged from an accident and emergency department

Abstract

One hundred patients aged 75 years and over who were discharged from an accident and emergency department were selected at random for follow-up at home. Over half of the patients had suffered minor trauma, but 26 had increased dependency in one or more activities of daily living. Increased support was provided by the relatives for the majority of patients, by friends and neighbours in seven cases, and by a district nurse in 14, whilst only one patient received increased home help. Eight patients were known to be readmitted to hospital within 14 days of discharge. Staff in accident and emergency departments need to be aware that the functional consequences of an apparently minor injury in an elderly person may be severe, and that discharge must be carefully planned.