Abstract
The aims of this study are to describe the mobility of acute geriatric patients, the length of stay, and to characterise patients who were readmitted within 30 days based on the De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI). A cross-sectional observational study with longitudinal follow-up was conducted in the period from 1 March 2016 to 31 August 2016. Inclusion criteria were acute geriatric patients hospitalised for a minimum of 24 h. Of the 418 patients hospitalised during the study period, 246 (59%) participated in this study (44% male, median age 83 years [70; 94]). For patients in an acute geriatric department, the median DEMMI score was 41 and the mean score was 39.95. Patients with a DEMMI score ≤40 show a significantly lower Barthel 100 index, lower 30 s. sit-to-stand scores and were significantly more likely to be bedridden or, amongst those not bedridden, to use a mobility aid. Lower DEMMI scores were associated with longer admissions. DEMMI seems to have the ability to predict discharge within one week. There was no significant association between a lower DEMMI score and higher risk for 30-day readmission. Further research is needed to determine whether the DEMMI is suitable for identifying the patient’s need for further rehabilitation following the discharge.
Highlights
The level of mobility is an important indicator of illness in the elderly and a strong prognostic factor of health in geriatric patients [1,2,3,4]
The aims of this study were to describe the mobility of acute geriatric patients using De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI), to describe the length of stay (LOS) and investigate potential associations to the DEMMI score, and to characterise patients’ readmission within 30 days of discharge and see whether readmission is related to the DEMMI score
Project male, median ageage score for patients in an acute geriatric department was as illustrated median DEMMI score for patients in an acute geriatric department was 41 [0; 74] as illustrated in in
Summary
The level of mobility is an important indicator of illness in the elderly and a strong prognostic factor of health in geriatric patients [1,2,3,4]. Loss of mobility can result in a loss of independence, increased reliance on care and caregivers, increased hospital admission, and increased economic expenses [5]. Mobility is defined by the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) as “moving by changing body position or location or by transferring from one place to another, by carrying, moving or manipulating an object, by walking, running, or climbing, and by using various forms of transportation” [7]. Activities related to mobility include moving from a bed to a chair, going to the restroom, climbing the stairs, cooking, shopping, and traveling. Limitations in mobility make it difficult for Geriatrics 2019, 4, 8; doi:10.3390/geriatrics4010008 www.mdpi.com/journal/geriatrics
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