Non-admitted elderly in the accident and emergency department

The aim of the study was to identify the functional disabilities and support needs of elderly people who presented but were not admitted to a Dublin Accident & Emergency (A & E) department within a 1 month period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 per cent (100/532) of the non-admitted elderly within 2 weeks of the A & E visit. Injury related complaints were apparent in 51 per cent of the patients with 3 per cent requiring hospital admission within 2 weeks of the A & E visit. Increased dependency in 1 or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL) occurred in 10 per cent while 28 per cent had increased dependency in 1 or more Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Increased family support following discharge was received by 45 per cent of the elderly. The most commonly needed statutory service which was not provided was the home-help service. This study provides baseline data on the non-admitted elderly in one Dublin A & E department and should assist planning of future services.