Introduction:

Given the increase of elderly population in Chile, hospitalization rates have also increased. In the Health Care Complex Dr. Sotero del Rio, a Home Hospitalization Unit has been developed searching to reduce the complications associated with this condition. This paper aims to describe the characteristics of patients older than 60 years admitted to this unit during 2014

Material and Methods:

Descriptive retrospective study. Personal data, reasons for admission and hospital stay data were collected from monthly statistical reports of the Home Care Unit. Obstetric admissions were excluded. Admissions were classified according to ICD-10 classification.

Results:

2953 patients were admitted to the home care unit during 2014. One thousand six hundred and seventeen patients were older than 60 years (52.8%) and of these, 571 patients were 80 years or older (35.3%). The median age was 63 years. Among the most important causes found, were: respiratory diseases n = 680 (42%), circulatory system diseases n = 324 (20%), genitourinary diseases n = 313 (19.4%).

Discussion:

Home hospitalization could be a contribution to the Chilean public health system, as it has proven benefits in the international literature at the clinical and organizational level, user satisfaction, and at cost-effectiveness level. (Acta Med Colomb 2016; 41: 187-190).