Resumen

CHIGNE VERASTEGUI, Oscar, VARELA PINEDO, Luis, CHAVEZ JIMENO, Helver et al. Utilización de los servicios de hospitalización, consulta externa y emergencia, por adultos mayores y de menor edad, en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia: 1990 - 1997. Rev Med Hered, jul./set. 1999, vol.10, no.3, p.111-118. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objective: To determine the significative utilization of health services by older people attended at Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia between 1990-1997, by means to compare these instrument and their characteristics, between older and younger patients. Material and methods: In this retrospective study, 14-year-old and older patients attended in the hospitalization service in 1990-1996 and outpatient and emergency services during 1997 were included. Information was elicited from egress files and statistical consolidates and was tabulated for age group, to asses comparative effects between older and younger people of 60 years old. Results: Hospitalization: Older people made up 28.11% of attended patients (p< 0.01). In the 1990-1996 period, there was an increase of older people (+ 19.4%) and a decrease in younger ones (-6.41%) (R2 = 0.5768). In the older group, infections (33.9%) and cardiovascular diseases (32.9%) predominated. Geriatric mortality was relevant (12.8%)(p<0.01). In the 1990-1996 period, there was a decrease of geriatric mortality (-25%) with no variation in the younger group. (R2 = 0.4045). Outpatient service: The older group made up 16.76 % of the attended patients, with female almost doubling in number the male patients (p<0.01). The older group predominated over the younger ones and over those older who were attended only once (p<0.01). The return rate end the ratio of attentions/attended people was in favor of the older group. The main geriatric outpatient morbidities were cardiovascular (20.14%). Emergency : The older group made up 6.2% of the attended patients. The traumatologic entities were the most important in both age groups, with no evidence of significative differences. Conclusions: The utilization of hospitalization and outpatient services made by older people was significative relative to the younger group. ( Rev Med Hered 1999; 10: 111-118 ).

Palabras llave: Geriatrics; old adult; health services.