S. Alshammari et al., CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC PATTERN OF LONG-STAY INPATIENTS - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROVISION OF OUT-REACH COMMUNITY-SERVICES IN SAUDI-ARABIA, Journal of public health medicine, 17(2), 1995, pp. 179-186
Background: The aim of the present study was to find out the clinical
and epidemiological pattern of long-stay in-patients. Methods: A cross
-sectional survey of long-stay patients in Ministry of Health general
hospitals was conducted during the period January-June 1993. A trained
research team which consisted of a physician, a nurse, social workers
and medical record officers completed a pre-designed data form and in
terviewed treating teams, patients and their relatives. The data form
consisted of sociodemographic data of patients, their duration of stay
, and their clinical, social and psychological characteristics. The do
ctors', patients', their relatives' perceptions and their preferences
about the place of care (hospital or home) plus the geographical locat
ion of the hospitals involved were also recorded. Results: Of the 1194
patients, 55 per cent came from either the central or southern region
s. Male patients represent 65.2 per cent and the elderly (> 60 years o
f age) 41.6 per cent. Multiple pathologies were found in 50.9 per cent
and special signs and symptoms, e.g. incontinence, were found in 59 p
er cent. The medical team felt that 54.1 per cent of all patients did
not need nursing or required only routine nursing care. Treating docto
rs thought that 16.2 per cent of patients did not need admission and t
hat a further 54.8 per cent could be cared for in the patient's home.
However, 47.5 per cent of patients preferred to stay in hospital, and
60.6 per cent of their relatives preferred them to remain in hospital.
Conclusions: There is a need to plan for more cost-effective faciliti
es for these patients. Any proposed health services will have to be cu
lturally acceptable so as to encourage patients and relatives to utili
ze them.