Prolonged stay at an acute-care hospital in Israel among older adults awaiting transfer to post-acute care: retrospective study on risk factors and consequences

Key summary points Aim To evaluate the period after which clinical complication increases among hospitalized elder patients awaiting transfer to a post-acute care facility, and characterize the risk factors for hospital related complications. Findings Prolonged stay (12 days) at acute-care facility, among elder persons awaiting transfer to a skilled-nursing post-acute care facility, was associated with device-related hospital-acquired infections and acquisition of multi-drug resistant organisms. Risk factors for prolonged stay at acute-care facility among elder persons, are lower Norton index and higher MUST score upon admission, and admission from home instead of from a long-term care facility. Message Prolonged hospitalization of elder patients post-acute care facility was associated with device-related hospital-acquired infections and with acquisition of multiple and epidemiologically significant multi-drug resistant organisms. minimizing hospitalization length should be prioritized.