[Organization of emergency medical care for older age groups of the population.].
Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii · 2025-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
Increasing life expectancy up to 78 years is a target indicator of the state policy. Emergency medical care is an important link in ensuring longevity of elderly citizens. The aim of the study: to study the frequency and structure of emergency medical care for older age groups of the population. The study analyzed the frequency of emergency medical aid calls for women 55 years and older and men 60 years and older according to the data of sectoral statistical observation for 2010-2013 and federal statistical observation for the Russian Federation for 2014-2023. Statistical and analytical methods of research were applied. Spreadsheets MS Office Excel 2016 were used for data processing. Older individuals (women aged 55 years and older and men aged 60 years and older) accounted for 19,2±0,8 million emergency medical services, representing 42,6±1,3% of the total number of patients and 51,4±1,5% of adult (18 years and older) emergency medical services patients. An upsurge in the number of referrals was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of deaths in the ambulance is 4,1±0,9 thousand, 2010-2023, of which 51,1±1% were women aged 55 years and older and 48,9±1% were men aged 60 years and older. The structure of mortality is characterized by a higher proportion of «sudden diseases and conditions» (88,2±2,3 and 78,5±5,2%, respectively) and a low proportion of «accidents» (7,5±2,4 and 17,5±5,3%, respectively) in the reasons for calling ambulance crews to these patients. Emergency care is a demanded type of medical care for older people. The results of the study show that among this category of patients who applied for emergency medical care, women aged 55 and older and men aged 60 and older prevail. At the same time, the structure of ambulance calls is dominated by «sudden diseases and conditions», which indicates the need for timely organization of medical care, including hospitalization in specialized medical organizations.