What does this research mean for the field?

Emergency department admission rates increased from 2008 to 2019, particularly among older adults. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate changes in emergency department admission rates among older adults from 2008 to 2019.

April 18, 2026Open Access

Emergency department utilisation in an ageing population: a retrospective observational study

Key Result

Emergency department admission rates increased from 2008 to 2019, particularly among older adults.

Key Points

To investigate changes in emergency department admission rates among older adults from 2008 to 2019.
Retrospective observational study design
Analysis of admission data from 2008 to 2019
Focus on older adult patient demographics
Increase in ED admission rates among older adults from 2008 to 2019
Highlighting the growing care needs of older patients
Emphasizes the necessity for geriatric-friendly emergency departments

Structured PICO

Population

Ageing population / older adults

Outcome

Emergency department admission rates

The increasing ED admission rates among older adults from 2008 to 2019 underscore the need for geriatric-friendly emergency departments.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Our study showed that ED admission rates, particularly among older adults, increased from 2008 to 2019. This highlights the growing care needs of older patients and underscore the importance of geriatric-friendly EDs and evidence-based programmes to ensure high-quality care.