Quality of care in elder emergency department patients with pneumonia: a prospective cohort study |
| Published: April 30, 2008, 12:00 am |
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Background: The goals of the study were to assess the relationship between age and processes of care in emergency department (ED) patients admitted with pneumonia and to identify independent predictors of failure to meet recommended quality care measures. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study undertaken at a university hospital ED in the Midwest. ED patients >= 18 requiring admission for pneumonia, with no documented use of antibiotics in the 24 hours prior to ED presentation were included. Compliance with Pneumonia National Quality Measures was assessed including ED antibiotic administration, antibiotics within 4 hours, oxygenation assessment, and obtaining of blood cultures. Odds ratios were calculated for elders and non-elders. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of process failure. Results: 1370 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 560 were aged >=65 years. In multiple variable logistic regression analysis, age >=65 years was independently [ Full article ] |
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