A new test was worked out to predict inevitable death within 30 days

January 24, 2015  12:01

Australian scientists have worked out a test allowing determine whether elderly people will die within 30 days after being taken to hospital. Specialists think, this test allows elderly people go home and say goodbye to loved ones. Besides it will also allow avoid unnecessary treatment costs. The research was published in the BMJ Open publication Supportive & Palliative Care

Doctors studied 112 special researches and decided which tests and questions would predict the inevitable death better. They looked at only 29 indicators of health, including age, frailty, illness, mental impairment, previous emergency admissions, etc. The final test shows chances to die within 30 days (percentage).

“Delaying unavoidable death contributes to unsustainable and escalating healthcare costs, despite aggressive and expensive interventions. These interventions may not influence patient outcome; often do not improve the patient’s quality of life; may compromise bereavement outcomes for families; and cause frustration for health professionals” said lead author Dr Magnolia Cardona-Morrel, a researcher at the University of New South Wales.

They claim the test will help doctors and nurses who are often under great pressure from family members and society to prolong the life of patients at all costs. The test will also allow the patients to choose between their home and hospital, The Telegraphs reports.

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