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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Linda Silvestri, MPH, CHES, Bruce Ziran, MD, Mary-Kate Barrette-Grischow, MA, and Thomas Hull, BA. Orthopaedic Trauma Research, St. Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44501, 330-480-6302, Linda_Silvestri@HMIS.ORG

Participants will recognize that patient age may influence how the patient perceives the care he/she receives while in the hospital.

Participants will be able to evaluate: • If patients share similar levels of concern. • If patients view their hospital stay in similar ways. • How patients of different age strata perceive delivery of care.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether younger patients have different expectations of hospital care than older patients.

Satisfaction surveys were administered to 25 patients at a Level I trauma center. Responses were measured using a 5-point Likert Scale. Patients 50-64 years of age were excluded, leaving 24 subjects in two age groups: 18-49 (n=12) and 65+ (n=12). Statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient was completed using SPSS software.

Preliminary results indicate that older patients have higher expectations of the nursing staff than younger patients with significant positive correlations between age and disagreement with the following statements “I am very happy with care I am receiving from the nursing staff,” (r=0.460 p=0.024), “nursing staff spends enough time with me,” (r=0.488 p=0.016), “the nursing staff is concerned about my level of pain” (r=0.628 p=0.001), “the nurses care about what happens to me,” (r=0.563 p=0.004), “the nursing staff takes enough time to make sure I understand what is going on in my plan of care,” (r=0.595 p=0.002).

These initial findings indicate that patient age influences perception of the inpatient care experience. Survey administration continues and further data will be analyzed prior to final presentation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize that age may influence how people perceive the delivery of their health care.
• Describe the reasons responsible for these differences.

Keywords: Health Care Delivery, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered