Care profile of the elderly population in Emergency Care Units in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

In the current context of epidemiological transition, Emergency Care Units (UPA) have started to play a fundamental role in assisting the elderly population, with emphasis on diagnoses related to trauma, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. This study aimed to analyze the care provided to the elderly population in the UPA in the city of Rio de Janeiro between the years 2013 and 2015, taking into account the most prevalent diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases, the relative risk classifications each group of diseases and the outcomes after medical care. It was detected a higher prevalence of female visits, as well as a considerable increase in the number of diagnoses attended in the elderly over the years. It was observed that most of these elderly people were classified as Yellow risk, and most of the outcomes were discharged or referred to specialists. The health care network must prepare itself to increase the demands of this age group, being especially necessary to encourage the search for primary care in pursuit of prevention.