ANALYSIS OF GERIATRIC PATIENTS' READMISSIONS TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE SERVICES WITHIN 72 HOURS

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients aged 65 years and older who were readmitted to the emergency department (ED) within 72 hours of discharge. Material and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included patients aged ≥65 years who revisited the ED of a tertiary hospital between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024. Patients with incomplete records or scheduled returns were excluded. Demographic data, initial and repeat visit diagnoses, and consultation rates were analyzed. Results: Of 729,214 total ED admissions during the study period, 93,498 (12.8%) involved patients aged ≥65 years. Among these, 377 patients had unscheduled ED readmissions within 72 hours. The most common reasons for both first and second admissions were abdominal pain, dyspnea, and headache. In 63.1% of cases, the second admission was due to the same complaint as the first. While 90.7% of patients were discharged during their first visit, 8.3% were hospitalized during the second. Consultation rates were low, with only 13.5% receiving specialty input during the second visit. Among hospitalized patients, dyspnea, abdominal pain, and cerebrovascular symptoms were the most frequent complaints. The median readmission interval was 20.0 hours. Conclusion: Short-term ED readmission in older adults is often related to unresolved symptoms and atypical presentations. The low rate of initial consultations and high frequency of samesymptom revisits highlight the need for improved risk-based discharge planning and comprehensive geriatric evaluation in the ED setting.