Acute hospital admissions among elderly patients in Danish general practice

INTRODUCTION: The rising number of acute hospital admissions among elderly patients exerts substantial pressure on the healthcare system, and many of these admissions could potentially be prevented. This pilot study aimed to explore patterns in the frequency and duration of acute hospitalisations in elderly patients (≥ 65 years). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted in a solo general practice in Aarhus, Denmark, examining acute hospital admissions among elderly patients from 1 November 2022 to 1 November 2024. Data were extracted on 11 November 2024. The review identified 44 patients with a total of 70 admissions. The study explored associations between selected characteristics and short-term versus longer acute hospital admissions. For comparison, data drawn from a larger practice included 195 patients and 322 admissions. RESULTS: Nearly half of all acute admissions lasted one day or less, with 30% concluding in discharge from an emergency department. Language barriers were associated with longer stays, whereas no other examined characteristics showed significant associations. Diagnosis was often recorded using broad ICD-10 categories, particularly for short stays. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term admissions in elderly patients are common, yet difficult to predict. Many may stem from clinical uncertainty or system constraints. Larger practice-based studies are needed to better understand and address avoidable admissions in this vulnerable population. FUNDING: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.