Survey of do-not-resuscitate orders in surgical intensive care units

Physician Palliative Education Associated With High Use of Hospice Care Service

Background:

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance provides coverage for palliative and hospice care. The following 10 types of diseases have been added to the National Health Insurance reimbursement regulation: end-stage cancer, motor neuron disease, organic psychosis, brain degeneration, heart failure, chronic airway obstruction diseases, other lung diseases, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, acute renal failure, and chronic renal failure.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the association between physicians’ palliative education and use of hospice care in hospitalized patients at the end of life.

Design and Setting:

A cross-sectional study in a Taipei community hospital.

Participants:

Patients who died between 2014 and 2019 were identified. The deceased had at least 1 of the 10 diseases covered by health insurance were included. Hospice care services included hospice ward care and hospice shared care. This study included 2,661 individuals. In total, 972 (36.5%) patients used hospice care services.

Results:

After adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities, physicians’ palliative education was found to significantly associated with the use of hospice care (OR: 14.38, 95% CI: 10.90-18.98).

Conclusions:

Physicians’ palliative education was found to be an independent factor associated with higher use of hospice care. The findings suggest increasing palliative and hospice education among physicians so that they can ensure that their patients have high-quality end-of-life medical care in an aging society.

Value of Advance Care Directives for Patients With Serious Illness in the Era of COVID Pandemic: A Review of Challenges and Solutions

Advance care directives (ACDs) are instructions regarding what types of medical treatments a patient desires and/or who they would like to designate as a healthcare surrogate to make important healthcare decisions when the patient is mentally incapacitated. At end-of-life, when faced with poor prognosis for a meaningful health-related quality of life, most patients indicate their preference to abstain from aggressive, life-sustaining treatments. Patients whose wishes are left unsaid often receive burdensome life sustain therapy by default, prolonging patient suffering. The CoVID pandemic has strained our healthcare resources and raised the need for prioritization of life-sustaining therapy. This highlights the urgency of ACDs more than ever. Despite ACDs' potential to provide patients with care that aligns with their values and preferences and reduce resource competition, there has been relatively little conversation regarding the overlap of ACDs and CoVID-19. There is low uptake among patients, lack of training for healthcare professionals, and inequitable adoption in vulnerable populations. However, solutions are forthcoming and may include electronic medical record completion, patient outreach efforts, healthcare worker programs to increase awareness of at-risk minority patients, and restructuring of incentives and reimbursement policies. This review carefully describes the above challenges and unique opportunities to address them in the CoVID-19 era. If solutions are leveraged appropriately, ACDs have the potential to address the described challenges and ethically resolve resource conflicts during the current crisis and beyond.

Reduction in Potentially Inappropriate Interventions in Trauma Patients following a Palliative Care Consultation

Background: Palliative care is expanding as part of treatment, but remains underutilized in trauma settings. Palliative care consultations (PCC) have shown to reduce nonbeneficial, potentially inappropriate interventions (PII), as decision for their use should always be made in the context of both the patient's prognosis and the patient's goals of care. Objective: To characterize trauma patients who received PCC and to analyze the effect of PCC and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders on PII in severely injured patients. Setting/Subjects: Retrospective cohort study of 864 patients admitted to two level 1 trauma centers: 432 patients who received PCC (PCC group) were compared with 432 propensity score match-controlled (MC group) patients who did not receive PCC. Measurements: PCC in a consultative palliative care model, PII (including tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) rate and timing, DNR orders. Results: PCC rate in trauma patients was 4.3%, with a 5.3-day average time to PCC. PII were done in 9.0% of PCC and 6.0% of MC patients (p = 0.09). In the PCC group, 74.1% of PII were done before PCC, and 25.9% after. PCC compared with MC patients had significantly higher mechanical ventilation (60.4% vs. 18.1%, p < 0.001) and assisted feeding requirements (14.1% vs. 6.7%, p < 0.001). We observed a statistically significant reduction in PII after PCC (p = 0.002). Significantly less PCC than MC patients had PII following DNR (26.3% vs. 100.0%, p = 0.035). Conclusions: PCC reduced PII in severely injured trauma patients by factor of two. Since the majority of PII in PCC patients occurred before PCC, a more timely administration of PCC is recommended. To streamline goals of care, PCC should supplement or precede a DNR discussion.

Is the Emergency Department an Inappropriate Venue for Code Status Discussions?

BACKGROUND

Historically, it has been assumed that the Emergency Department (ED) is a place for maximally aggressive care and that Emergency Medicine Providers (EMPs) are biased towards life-prolonging care. However, emphasis on early recognition of code status preferences is increasingly making the ED a venue for code status discussions (CSDs). In 2018, our hospital implemented a policy requiring EMPs to place a code status order (CSO) for all patients admitted through the ED. We hypothesized that if EMPs enter CSDs with a bias toward life-prolonging care, or if the venue of the ED biases CSDs towards life-prolonging care, then we would observe a decrease in the percentage of patients selecting DNR status following our institution's aforementioned CSO mandate.

METHODS

We present a retrospective analysis of rates of DNR orders placed for patients admitted through our ED comparing six-month periods before and after the implementation of the above policy.

RESULTS

Using quality improvement data, we identified patients admitted through the ED during pre (n=7,858) and post (n=8,069) study periods. We observed the following: after implementation DNR preference identified prior to hospital admission from the ED increased from 0.4% to 5.3% (relative risk (RR) 12.5; 95% CI: 5.2-29.9), defining CS in the ED setting at the time of admission increased from 2.4% to 98.6% (p <0.001), and DNR orders placed during inpatient admission was unchanged (RR=0.97 (95% CI = 0.88-1.07)).

DISCUSSION

Our results suggest that the ED can be an appropriate venue for CSDs.

Palliative Care Consultations in Trauma Patients and Role of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders: Propensity-Matched Study

OBJECTIVE

To delineate characteristics of trauma patients associated with a palliative care consultation (PCC) and to analyze the role of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and related outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective study included 864 patients from 2 level one trauma centers admitted between 2012 and 2019.  Level 1 trauma centers are designated for admission of the most severe injured patients. Palliative care consultation group of 432 patients who received PCC and were compared to matched control (MC) group of 432 patients without PCC. Propensity matching covariates included Injury Severity Score, mechanism of injury, gender, and hospital length of stay (HLOS). Analysis included patient demographics, injury parameters, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay (ICULOS), duration of mechanical ventilation, timing of PCC and DNR, and mortality. Palliative care consultation patients were further analyzed based on DNR status: prehospital DNR, in-hospital DNR, and no DNR (NODNR).

RESULTS

Palliative care consultation compared to MC patients were older, predominantly Caucasian, with more frequent traumatic brain injury (TBI), ICU admissions, and mechanical ventilation. The average time to PCC was 5.3 days. Do-not-resuscitate orders were significantly more common in PCC compared to MC group (71.5% vs 11.1%, P < .001). Overall mortality was 90.7% in PCC and 6.0% in MC (P < .001). In patients with DNR, mortality was 94.2% in PCC and 18.8% in MC. In-hospital DNR-PCC compared to NODNR-PCC patients had shorter ICULOS (5.0 vs 7.3 days, P = .04), HLOS (6.2 vs 13.2 days, P = .006), and time to discharge (1.0 vs 6.3 days, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age, DNR order, and TBI were associated with a PCC in trauma patients and resulted in significantly higher mortality in PCC than in MC patients. Combination of DNR and PCC was associated with shorter ICULOS, HLOS, and time from PCC to discharge.

Changes in Clinical Course Before and After Do-Not-Resuscitate Order Placement in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Setting

Background: The relationship between clinical course and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status has not been well studied in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting. Objective: To describe the relationship between DNR order placement and clinical course. Design: Single center retrospective cohort study. Setting/Subjects: Patients, ages 0-18 years, who have died in the PICU from 2008 to 2016. Measurements: Retrospective chart review of DNR status, patient characteristics, and clinical course. We compared length of stay and number of consults/procedures/imaging studies done on patients with early DNR (>48 hours before death), late DNR (within 48 hours of death), and no DNR order placement. Results: One-hundred and sixty-one children were included. Nearly half (48%) were male with median (interquartile range) age of 3 years (0-12). One-third (58) had an underlying oncologic diagnosis. Eighteen percent (29/161) were classified as early DNR, 33% (53/161) as late DNR, and 49% (79/161) as no DNR. We found no differences in patient characteristics or risk of mortality at admission among the groups. The early DNR group showed decreased number of invasive procedures (0.68), imaging studies (1), and consults (0.21) per day when compared with the late (2, 1.53, 0.50) and no DNR groups (2.09, 1.73, 0.43). Conclusion: Our results suggest that early DNR placement in the PICU is associated with a change in clinical course centered around less invasive care. Earlier DNR placement can potentially trigger a shift in care goals that could improve the quality of life for patients and mitigate emotional and physical toll on patients and their families during the highly stressful end-of-life time period.

Advance Care Planning Program and the Knowledge and Attitude Concerning Palliative Care

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of an advance care planning (ACP) program on knowledge and attitudes concerning palliative care, and decisions regarding DNR orders in the older residents in a long-term care institution.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental design was used. Participants were cognitively unimpaired older residents in a long-term care institution in Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 29) received the intervention including an individual interview using an ACP handbook and a group patient education; whereas the control group (n = 28) received the group patient education only.

RESULTS

There were significant positive effects of the ACP program on understanding of DNR and palliative care, willingness to sign a DNR order, and knowledge of and attitude towards palliative care; however, there was no significant effect on willingness to receive palliative care. Six participants signed the DNR order after the intervention compared to none in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACP program can improve knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care in older residents in long-term care institutions.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The ACP program could incorporate multiple components, including individual interview using ACP handbook and group patient education, and address knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care.

Allow natural death versus do-not-resuscitate: titles, information contents, outcomes, and the considerations related to do-not-resuscitate decision

BACKGROUND

As the "do not resuscitate" (DNR) discussion involves communication, this study explored (1) the effects of a title that included "allow natural death", and of information contents and outcomes of the decision; and (2) the information needs and consideration of the DNR decision, and benefits and barriers of the DNR discussion.

METHODS

Healthy adults (n = 524) were presented with a scenario with different titles, information contents, and outcomes, and they rated the probability of a DNR decision. A questionnaire including information needs, consideration of the decision, and benefits and barriers of DNR discussion was also used.

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher probability of signing the DNR order when the title included "allow natural death" (t = - 4.51, p < 0.001), when comprehensive information was provided (F = 60.64, p < 0.001), and when there were worse outcomes (F = 292.16, p < 0.001). Common information needs included remaining life period and the prognosis. Common barriers were the families' worries and uncertainty about future physical changes.

CONCLUSION

The title, information contents, and outcomes may influence the DNR decisions. Health-care providers should address the concept of natural death, provide comprehensive information, and help patients and families to overcome the barriers.

Ethical implications of population ageing in the intensive care unit

Population ageing has significant ethical implications in the management of elderly patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). In the aspects of beneficence and non-maleficence, conflicting evidence has long existed regarding an association of older age with poorer prognosis, but elderly patients who have poor prognosis in the ICU may have a worse outcome if not admitted. More randomised controlled studies are needed to study the benefits of ICU admission to different subgroups of critically ill elderly patients. The acute care for the elderly unit could be developed to provide more comprehensive care to the elderly. ICU resource rationing should follow clear guidelines with a pluralistic strategy of distributive justice, which incorporates the core proposition of "veil of ignorance" with the anti-ageist and equalist view so that age itself should not be a criterion but any associated risks with age confirmed by studies should be taken into account of assessing prognosis and outcome. There may be a need for improvement in protection for patients' right to autonomy in the ICU.

Different utilization of intensive care services (ICSs) for patients dying of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, a hospital-based survey

The intensive care service (ICS) saves lives and rescues the neurological function of stroke patients. We wondered the different utilization of ICS for patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, especially those who died within 30 days after stroke.Sixty-seven patients died during 2011 to 2015 due to acute stroke (42 due to intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]; 25 due to cerebral infarct [CI]). The durations of hospital stay (hospital staying days [HSDs]) and ICS staying days (ISDs) and codes of the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) were surveyed among these medical records. Statistics included chi-square and descriptive analyses.In this study, CI patients had a longer HSD (mean 14.3 days), as compared with ICH patients (mean 8.3 days); however, the ICH patients had a higher percentage of early entry within the first 24 hours of admission into ICS than CI group (95.1% vs 60.0%, P = .003). A higher rate of CI patients died in holidays or weekends than those with ICH (44.0% vs 21.4%, P = .051). DNR, requested mainly from direct descendants (children or grandchildren), was coded in all 25 CI patients (100.0%) and 38 ICH patients (90.5%). More cases with early DNR coded within 24 hours after admission occurred in ICH group (47%, 12% in CI patients, P = .003). None of the stroke patient had living wills. Withhold of endotracheal intubation (ETI) occurred among CI patients, more than for ICH patients (76.0% vs 18.4%, P < .005).In conclusion, CI patients longer HSD, ISD, higher mortality within holidays or weekends, and higher ETI withhold; but less percentage of ICS utilization expressed by a lower ISD/HSD ratio. This ICS utilization is a key issue of medical quality for stroke care.

End of Life Care and Do Not Resuscitate Orders: How Much Does Age Influence Decision Making? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

With population aging, “do not resuscitate” (DNAR) decisions, pertaining to the appropriateness of attempting resuscitation following a cardiac arrest, are becoming commoner. It is unclear from the literature whether using age to make these decisions represents “ageism.” We undertook a systematic review of the literature using CINAHL, Medline, and the Cochrane database to investigate the relationship between age and DNAR. All 10 studies fulfilling our inclusion criteria found that “do not attempt resuscitation” orders were more prevalent in older patients; eight demonstrated that this was independent of other mediating factors such as illness severity and likely outcome. In studies comparing age groups, the adjusted odds of having a DNAR order were greater in patients aged 75 to 84 and ≥85 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.25, 2.33] and 2.96, 95% CI = [2.34, 3.74], respectively), compared with those <65 years. In studies treating age as a continuous variable, there was no significant increase in the use of DNAR with age (AOR 0.98, 95% CI = [0.84, 1.15]). In conclusion, age increases the use of “do not resuscitate” orders, but more research is needed to determine whether this represents “ageism.”

Trends of Do-Not-Resuscitate consent and hospice care utilization among noncancer decedents in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan between 2010 and 2014: A Hospital-based observational study

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) and hospice care are not only applied to cancer patients but also to patients with noncancer progressive illness. However, the trends of DNR consent and hospice utilization are not well explored for noncancer patients. This study aimed to explore the trends of DNR consent and hospice care utilization among noncancer decedents in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. We analyzed the Death and Hospice Palliative Care Database from the Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan. The Death and Hospice Palliative Care Database contains information including patient sex, major diagnosis, admission date, date of death, age at death, department at discharge, status of DNR consent, and status of hospice care of patients who died in the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Data on patients aged 20 years old or more who died of major terminal noncancer diseases, including brain diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases, heart failure, chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis, and renal failure between 2010 and 2014 were extracted for analysis. A total of 1416 patients aged 20 years or more died of major noncancer diseases in Taipei Veterans General Hospital during the study period. The most common diagnosis was brain diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and dementias (n = 510, 36%) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases (n = 322, 22.7%). Among these noncancer decedents, 1045 (73.8%) had DNR consents, while 134 (9.5%) received hospice care. Patients diagnosed with renal failure had the highest percentage of DNR consent (80%), followed by chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis (77.7%). Patients diagnosed with chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis had the highest percentage of hospice utilization (17.4%), followed by renal failure (15.8%). The percentages of DNR consent and hospice utilization were significantly different across different disease diagnosis, hospitalization department, and year of death. There were increased trends of DNR consent in patients with major noncancer diagnoses, and increased hospice care utilization in patients diagnosed with lung diseases and renal failure from 2010 to 2014. However, the hospice care utilization could be improved. Further study to evaluate factors associated hospice care to improve the utilization is suggested.

The Associations Between the Religious Background, Social Supports, and Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in Taiwan: An Observational Study

Prior studies have demonstrated important implications related to religiosity and a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision. However, the association between patients' religious background and DNR decisions is vague. In particular, the association between the religious background of Buddhism/Daoism and DNR decisions has never been examined. The objective of this study was to examine the association between patients' religious background and their DNR decisions, with a particular focus on Buddhism/Daoism.The medical records of the patients who were admitted to the 3 surgical intensive care units (SICU) in a university-affiliated medical center located at Northern Taiwan from June 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 were retrospectively collected. We compared the clinical/demographic variables of DNR patients with those of non-DNR patients using the Student t test or χ test depending on the scale of the variables. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine the association between the religious backgrounds and DNR decisions.A sample of 1909 patients was collected: 122 patients had a DNR order; and 1787 patients did not have a DNR order. Old age (P = 0.02), unemployment (P = 0.02), admission diagnosis of "nonoperative, cardiac failure/insufficiency" (P = 0.03), and severe acute illness at SICU admission (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with signing of DNR orders. Patients' religious background of Buddhism/Daoism (P = 0.04), married marital status (P = 0.02), and admission diagnosis of "postoperative, major surgery" (P = 0.02) were less likely to have a DNR order written during their SICU stay. Furthermore, patients with poor social support, as indicated by marital and working status, were more likely to consent to a DNR order during SICU stay.This study showed that the religious background of Buddhism/Daoism was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of consenting to a DNR, and poor social support was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having a DNR order written during SICU stay.

The epidemiology of do-not-resuscitate orders in patients with trauma: a community level one trauma center observational experience

Background

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders in patients with traumatic injury are insufficiently described. The objective is to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of DNR orders in trauma patients.

Methods

We included all adults with trauma to a community Level I Trauma Center over 6 years (2008–2013). We used chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and multivariate stepwise logistic regression tests to characterize DNR (established in-house vs. pre-existing), describe predictors of establishing an in-house DNR, timing of an in-house DNR (early [within 1 day] vs late), and outcomes (death, ICU stay, major complications).

Results

Included were 10,053 patients with trauma, of which 1523 had a DNR order in place (15%); 715 (7%) had a pre-existing DNR and 808 (8%) had a DNR established in-house. Increases were observed over time in both the proportions of patients with DNRs established in-house (p = 0.008) and age ≥65 (p < 0.001). Over 90% of patients with an in-house DNR were ≥65 years. The following covariates were independently associated with establishing a DNR in-house: age ≥65, severe neurologic deficit (GCS 3–8), fall mechanism of injury, ED tachycardia, female gender, and comorbidities (p < 0.05 for all). Age ≥65, female gender, non-surgical service admission and transfers-in were associated with a DNR established early (p < 0.05 for all). As expected, mortality was greater in patients with DNR than those without (22% vs. 1%), as was the development of a major complication (8% vs. 5%), while ICU admission was similar (19% vs. 17%). Poor outcomes were greatest in patients with DNR orders executed later in the hospital stay.

Conclusions

Our analysis of a broad cohort of patients with traumatic injury establishes the relationship between DNR and patient characteristics and outcomes. At 15%, DNR orders are prevalent in our general trauma population, particularly in patients ≥65 years, and are placed early after arrival. Established prognostic factors, including age and physiologic severity, were determinants for in-house DNR orders. These data may improve physician predictions of outcomes with DNR and help inform patient preferences, particularly in an environment with increasing use of DNR and increasing age of patients with trauma.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13049-015-0094-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

"Do not resuscitate" orders among deceased patients who received acute neurological care: an observation analysis

There were many reports about the "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order while practicing in the critical care units and conducting hospice affairs but limited in the neurological issues. This study investigated the possible flaws in the execution of the DNR order among patients who received acute neurological care in Taiwan. Over a 3-year period, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 77 deceased patients with neurological conditions for DNR orders. Registry and analysis works included demography, hospital courses, DNR data, and clinical usefulness of the lab and image examinations. Sixty-seven DNR orders were requested by the patients' families, and more than half were signed by the patients' children or grandchildren. The main DNR items were chest compression, cardiac defibrillation, and pacemaker use, although several DNR patients received resuscitation. The mean duration from the coding date to death was 7.6 days. Two-thirds of the patients with DNR requests remained in the intensive care unit, with a mean stay of 6.9 days. Several patients underwent regular roentgenography and blood tests on the day of their death, despite their DNR orders. Hospital courses and DNR items may be valuable information on dealing with the patients with DNR orders. The results of this study also suggest the public education about the DNR orders implemented for neurological illnesses.

The effects of advance care planning on end-of-life care: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Advance care planning is the process of discussing and recording patient preferences concerning goals of care for patients who may lose capacity or communication ability in the future. Advance care planning could potentially improve end-of-life care, but the methods/tools used are varied and of uncertain benefit. Outcome measures used in existing studies are highly variable.

AIM

To present an overview of studies on the effects of advance care planning and gain insight in the effectiveness of different types of advance care planning.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases for experimental and observational studies on the effects of advance care planning published in 2000-2012.

RESULTS

The search yielded 3571 papers, of which 113 were relevant for this review. For each study, the level of evidence was graded. Most studies were observational (95%), originated from the United States (81%) and were performed in hospitals (49%) or nursing homes (32%). Do-not-resuscitate orders (39%) and written advance directives (34%) were most often studied. Advance care planning was often found to decrease life-sustaining treatment, increase use of hospice and palliative care and prevent hospitalisation. Complex advance care planning interventions seem to increase compliance with patients' end-of-life wishes.

CONCLUSION

The effects of different types of advance care planning have been studied in various settings and populations using different outcome measures. There is evidence that advance care planning positively impacts the quality of end-of-life care. Complex advance care planning interventions may be more effective in meeting patients' preferences than written documents alone. More studies are needed with an experimental design, in different settings, including the community.

Long-term outcomes after dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury

AKI-dialysis patients had a higher incidence of long-term ESRD and mortality than the patients without AKI. The patients who recovered from dialysis were associated with a lower incidence of long-term ESRD and mortality than in the patients who still required dialysis.

[Impact of age on mortality in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury requiring intensive care]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of age (<or≥65 ans) on hospital mortality in traumatic spinal cord injury requiring intensive care.

DESIGN

Retrospective, monocenter.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 131 patients greater or equal to 15 years (<65 years, n=109 and ≥65 years, n=22) was analyzed (cervical, n=71; thoracolumbar, n=60), over a 10 years period (1998-2008). The hospital and long-term mortality were studied. The risks factors of death were searched by a uni- and multivariate analysis. Intensive care unit (ICU) discharge and long-term neurological recovery, and long-term functional independence measure (FIM) were assessed.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was increased in patients greater or equal to 65 years (41% vs 6%, P<0.001) and long term mortality was not different between the two groups (31% vs 12%, P=0.150). The risks factors of death were age (HR=3.44; IC 95%: 1.53-7.72, P=0.028), previous coronary disease (HR=3.64; IC 95%: 1.25-10.65; P=0.018) and fall injury (HR=2.40; IC 95%: 1.15-5.00, P=0.020). Among survivors, incompletes forms (Frankel B, C, D, E) were significantly more frequent in older patients at ICU discharge and long term follow up. At long term, FIM was similar in the two groups except a better sphincter control in patient greater or equal to 65 years.

CONCLUSION

Mortality rate of older people (≥65 years) were greater than those in younger people, mainly caused by an increased hospital mortality. Among survivors, the neurological recovery was better in patients' greater or equal to 65 years, and was associated with a functional status at least comparable than in the youngest patients.