Effect of long-term care grade on the mortality in nursing home residents

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between long-term care (LTC) grade and mortality in Korean nursing home residents and to determine whether there are any associations between mortality and other clinical indices.

DESIGN: A retrospective observational study.

SETTING: Eight nursing homes in Korean Nursing Home Networks

PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and fifty-five elderly newly admitted residents from July 2008 to April 2010.

MEASUREMENTS: Age, sex, admission day, long-term care grade, co-morbid diseases, physical and emotional status, discharge day, discharge outcome (death, transfer to hospital, transfer to other nursing home, others), and causes of death.

RESULTS: Subjects had an average age of 81. Sixty three (13.8%) died during follow-up period. Compared to LTC grade 3, mortality of grade 1 and 2 were about six times and four times higher, respectively. And, two items of ability to perform daily living (eating and exercising, dressing and washing) had statistically significant associations with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: Effective management of nursing home residents via providing personalized medical approach according to long-term care grade is needed.