Elderly surgical hospitalizations in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, 2020

Abstract

It is estimated that, by 2025, around 14% of the country's population will be aged over 60. The increase in the population's life expectancy has encouraged scientific work in healthcare for the elderly. The profile of illness generates greater demand for hospital admissions, drug treatments and rehabilitation. The study sought a comprehensive assessment of the current state of health of the elderly, especially those undergoing surgical interventions. Objective: To analyze the recorded hospitalizations of elderly surgical patients in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in 2020. Methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical with a focus on secondary data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH). Results: Of the total number of hospitalizations, 28,318 (48.9%) were female and 29,535 (51.1%) were male. The average age was 70.4 years (± 7.9) among elderly hospitalizations, and this average was higher in women 71.2 (± 8.4) compared to men 69.5 (± 7.4). Conclusion: The results show the importance of the health information system in the state of Rio de Janeiro as a tool for drawing up, planning, and monitoring diagnostic, preventive and health promotion actions aimed at the elderly population.