Smacc

Camilla Strom discusses the outcomes for elderly patients in the intensive care. Camilla recognises a persistent “negative vibe” when people talk about elderly patients. This is inappropriate. We should acknowledge older patients for what they are! They are survival masters. This group of people have experience wars, famines, and recessions. They have seen many failures and successes in their long lives. They have overcome all in their path to be where they are today. Healthcare is facing an oncoming flood of older patients. In fact, this process is already happening across the world. The challenge is that these patients cost a lot of money to care for – especially in the ICU. In the general population, there is a 10% 1-year mortality rate for those 80 years and above. This jumps to 40% if they are admitted to hospital. If a patient older than 80 years is admitted to the ICU there is a 50-90% 1-year mortality rate. Therefore, the question is, should this population be admitted to ICU at all? Camilla argues th