The percentage of emergency department visits made by nursing home residents increases with age, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From 2014 to 2017, nursing home residents made up 7% of emergency department visits made by patients aged 60 and over. When this population is broken into age groups:
- Residents aged 60 to 69 accounted for 2% of emergency department visits
- Residents aged 70 to 79 accounted for 6% of visits
- Residents aged 80 to 89 accounted for 12% of visits
- Residents aged 90 and over accounted for 24% of visits
The rising incidence is mirrored among the general population. In 2014–2017, the emergency department visit rate was 43 visits per 100 persons aged 60 and older, increasing to 86 visits per 100 persons aged 90 and over, the CDC reported.
The emergency department report also found that:
- About 30% of patients aged 60 and over arrived by ambulance, with incidence increasing with age
- Visits due to unintentional falls increased with age
- Fully 23% of visits resulted in a hospital admission, with incidence increasing with age
Full findings have been published on the CDC’s website.
