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

Table 2 Enabling factors: 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)
Person’s median cost of care
Less than or equal to $562.90	49.9(360)	59.7(215)	0.0001	1
Greater than $562.90	50.1(361)	45.4(164)	0.0001	0.59	0.45-0.79
Caregiver distress ¹
No	84.3 (644)	54.7 (352)	0.002	1
Yes	15.7 (120)	39.2 (47)	0.002	0.53	0.36-0.79
Not significant variables (based on p value)
Access to a physician ²
No	1.4 (11)	45.4 (5)	0.65	1
Yes	98.6 (753)	52.3 (394)	0.65	1.32	0.40-4.35
Rural character
No	88.2 (674)	52.1 (351)	0.99	1
Yes	11.8 (90)	52.5 (47)	0.99	1.00	0.64-1.55

Note: Odds ratio = 1 indicates reference group.
¹Caregiver expresses feelings of distress, anger, or depression/is unable to continue caring activities.
²Whether clients had a physician contact on file.

ISSN: 1472-684X