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Table 3 Need variables: descriptive characteristics of clients with at least one emergency department visits or hospitalizations (n = 764)

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

Variable

Sample % (n)

Rate of ERVH % (n)

p value

Unadjusted

95% Confidence interval

Odds ratio

Significant variables (based on p value)

Believes physical function can improve 1

No

77.6 (593)

48.6 (256)

p < .01

1

 

Yes

22.4 (171)

67.8 (116)

2.31

1.61-3.31

Bladder/bowel incontinence

No

71.9 (538)

58.5 (315)

p < .01

1

 

Yes

28.1 (210)

36.4 (76)

0.41

0.29-0.57

Swallowing difficulties

No

71.4 (527)

57.9 (305)

p < .01

1

 

Yes

28.6 (211)

38.1 (80)

0.46

0.33-0.64

Potential delirium 2

     

No

84.2 (624)

57.0 (355)

p < .01

1

 

Yes

15.8 (117)

30.8 (36)

0.35

0.23-0.53

Activities of daily living Hierarchy scale 3

(0) Independent

48.4 (335)

67.2 (225)

p < .01

1

 

(1,2,3,4,5,6) Dependent

51.6 (357)

41.3 (147)

0.44

0.33-0.59

Cognitive skills for daily decision making 4

(0) Intact

78.0 (574)

58.2 (334)

p < .01

1

 

(1,2,3,4,5) Impaired

22.0 (162)

32.7 (53)

0.36

0.25-0.52

Chess scale 5

(0,1,2) Stable Health

34.4 (239)

66.1 (158)

p < .01

1

 

(3,4,5)Unstable Health

65.6 (455)

44.8 (204)

 

0.47

0.35-0.64

Weight loss 6

No

49.3 (377)

57.3 (216)

0.005

1

 

Yes

50.6 (387)

47.3 (183)

0.67

0.50-0.89

Pressure ulcer

No

85.5 (645)

55.2 (348)

0.01

1

 

Yes

14.5 (109)

46.7 (45)

0.60

0.40-0.90

Peripheral edema

No

67.1 (501)

55.2 (276)

0.03

1

 

Yes

32.9 (246)

46.7 (115)

0.72

0.53-0.98

Previous hospitalization (last 90 days)

No hospitalization within 90 days

32.5 (248)

58.9 (146)

0.03

1

 

31 to 90 days ago

36.4 (278)

50.4 (140)

0.63

0.44-0.90

In the last 30 days

31.1 (238)

47.5 (113)

0.71

0.50-1.0

Not significant variables (based on p value)

Cancer

No

12.0 (92)

42.9 (39)

0.07

1

 

Yes

88.0 (672)

53.4 (359)

1.49

0.96-2.31

Dizziness

No

68.1 (505)

54.4 (274)

0.09

1

 

Yes

31.9 (237)

47.7 (113)

0.77

0.56-1.04

Falls in the last 90 days

No

74.4 (549)

54.6 (299)

0.10

1

 

Yes

25.6 (189)

47.6 (90)

0.78

0.56-1.09

Instrumental activities of Daily living 7

(0) Independent

4.0 (30)

66.7 (20)

0.10

1

 

(1,2,3,4,5,6,8) Dependent

96.0 (718)

51.2 (370)

0.62

0.34-1.15

Diabetes

No

92.8 (709)

51.5 (365)

0.23

1

 

Yes

7.2 (55)

60.0 (33)

1.41

0.80-2.46

Prior urinary tract infection

No

95.5 (730)

94.74 (378)

0.26

1

 

Yes

4.4 (34)

5.26 (21)

1.50

0.74-3.05

Prior pneumonia

No

93.2 (712)

92.7 (370)

0.60

1

 

Yes

6.8 (52)

7.3 (29)

1.16

0.66-2.05

Fatigue

No

0.7 (5)

60.0 (3)

0.71

1

 

Yes

99.3 (730)

51.7 (377)

0.66

0.33-1.34

Dyspnea

No

30.8 (226)

53.1 (120)

0.85

1

 

Yes

69.2 (508)

52.3 (265)

1.02

0.75-1.37

Pain

(0) Not Present

25.9 (187)

52.9 (99)

0.96

1

 

(1,2,3) Present

74.1 (536)

53.2 (285)

1.14

0.83-1.55

  1. Note: Odds ratio = 1 indicates reference group.
  2. 1The client’s perception regarding his or her ability to improve in the area of physical functioning.
  3. 2Periodic disordered thinking or awareness (i.e. easily distracted, episodes of disorganized speech, and mental function varies over the course of the day).
  4. 3Assesses basic independent living skills based on items such as eating, personal hygiene, toileting, and locomotion within the home.
  5. 4Person’s actual performance in making everyday decisions about the tasks or activities of daily living (e.g., choosing items of clothing, knowing when to eat meals).
  6. 5Changes in Health, End Stage Disease, Signs and Symptoms: a scale that predicts mortality and instability in health based on items such as weight loss, shortness of breath, vomiting, dehydration, leaving food uneaten, and peripheral edema.
  7. 6Weight loss of 5% or more in the last 30 days, or 10% or more in the last 180 days.
  8. 7Self-performance in areas of function that are most commonly associated with independent living (i.e., meal preparation, ordinary housework, managing medications).