Predictors of emergency room visits or acute hospital admissions prior to death among hospice palliative care clients in Ontario: a retrospective cohort study

Table 1 Predisposing characteristics: descriptive characteristics of clients with at least one emergency department visits or hospitalizations (n = 764)

Variable	Sample % (n)	Rate of ERVH % (n)	p value	Unadjusted	95% Confidence interval
Variable	Sample % (n)	Rate of ERVH % (n)	p value	Odds ratio	95% Confidence interval
Significant variables (based on p value)
Wish to die at home ¹
No	70.5 (539)	59.7 (322)	p < .01	1
Yes	29.4 (225)	34.2 (77)	p < .01	0.35	0.25-0.48
Advance directives ²
No	47.8 (365)	66.6 (243)	p < .01	1
Yes	52.2 (399)	39.1 (156)	p < .01	0.32	0.24-0.43
Marital status
Single	48.2 (368)	46.1 (182)	0.0006	1
Married	51.8 (396)	58.7 (216)	0.0006	1.65	1.24-2.20
Age
Aged <75	60.4 (465)	56.5 (263)	0.003	1
Aged 75+	31.6 (215)	45.5 (136)	0.003	0.64	0.48-0.86
Not significant variables (based on p value)
Finds guidance in religion or spirituality ³
No	51.6 (370)	51.9 (186)	0.29	1
Yes	48.4 (394)	54.1 (213)	0.29	1.16	0.88-1.55
Sex
Male	52.8 (401)	53.9 (216)	0.45	1
Female	47.2 (358)	50.9 (182)	0.45	0.92	0.69-1.22

Note: Odds ratio = 1 indicates reference group.
¹Response obtained from client at time of assessment.
²Includes do not resuscitate, do not intubate, do not hospitalize, do not send to emergency department, do not tube feeding, and medication restriction.
³Person finds inspiration and support from religious activities, materials, and/or leaders.

ISSN: 1472-684X