[Access of elderly patients in the emergency department: demographic evolution and ethical perspectives]

(Accès des patients agés aux urgences: evolution démographique et perspectives médico-ethiques.)

Full Abstract

Due to actual demographic evolution, emergency departments have to face a dramatic increase in admissions of elderly people. The peculiar medical and socio-demographic characteristics of these old patients emphasize the need of specific decision processes and resources allocation. An individual-based approach, related to significant ethical values, should allow better diagnostic and therapeutic attitudes. Such a way to admit, evaluate and treat older patients implies an active collaboration with patients and their relatives, but also with all medical interveners, including in particular primary care physicians.

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Author information

Author/s: Carron, P N (PN); Hugli, O W (OW); Schreyer, N (N); Yersin, B (B);

Affiliation: Centre interdisciplinaire des urgences CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. Pierre-Nicolas.Carron(-atsign-)chuv.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Revue médicale suisse (Rev Med Suisse), published in Switzerland. (Language: fre)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 2 (issue 75) : pp 1840-3

Dates: Created 2006/09/04; Completed 2006/10/27; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16948419, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged, 80 and over
Emergency Service, Hospital
Health Services Accessibility - ethics

Health Services Accessibility - ethics
Humans
Population Dynamics

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