Sorry, Grandpa! Little Timmy is more likely to receive better hospital care. What's worse is that seniors are slightly more likely to die as a result of inferior emergency care, according to a new study published in the June Journal of the American Colleges of Surgeons.
Researchers found that patients age 65 and older who underwent emergency general surgery had substantially greater risk for adverse events and modestly higher mortality rates compared to younger patients.
The study, which included more than 68,000 procedures at 186 hospitals, indicated a discrepancy in care quality between the two age groups. Facilities that provided quality care for younger patients didn't translate to senior patients.
"Much like we report on hospital performance in other areas, we need to provide assurance that hospitals are providing high quality care to some of their highest risk patients," said lead author Dr. Avery Nathens, trauma director at St. Michael's Hospital.
For more:
- read the JACS study abstract
- check out the St. Michael's Hospital press release
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