Univariable and multivariable regression analyses of factors associated with “do not hospitalize” designations among residents with “hospitalize” designations on admission to extended care (n = 227)
| FACTORS* | UNIVARIABLE HAZARD RATIO (95% CI) | MULTIVARIABLE HAZARD RATIO (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic | ||
| • Age upon admission to extended care | 1.02 (1.01–1.02)† | 1.02 (1.01–1.02)† |
| • Female sex | 1.15 (1.05–1.25)† | |
| • Married and partner alive | 1.31 (0.94–1.81) | |
| Clinical and functional | ||
| • No. of Charlson comorbidities‡ | 1.03 (0.96–1.11) | |
| • Sudden and unexpected death | 0.44 (0.20–0.97)† | 0.43 (0.25–0.73)† |
| • No. of medications | 1.01 (0.94–1.09) | |
| • No. of debilities§ | 0.98 (0.89–1.08) | |
| • Ulcer or gastrointestinal bleed|| | 0.81 (0.50–1.31) | |
| Use of health services | ||
| • No. of ED visits in 3 months before death | 0.85 (0.61–1.18) | |
| • No. of visits by family physician in 3 months before death | 1.00 (0.99–1.01) | 1.01 (1.00–1.03)† |
| • Continuity of family physician from admission to death | 2.19 (1.38–3.47)† | 2.17 (1.33–3.49)† |
| • Hospital-based facility | 1.21 (1.01–1.45)† | |
CI—confidence interval, ED—emergency department.
↵* Characteristics measured at time of death unless stated otherwise.
↵† Statistically significant at P ≤. 05.
↵‡ Sum of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, connective tissue disease, ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleed, liver disease, diabetes, hemiplegia or hemiparesis, renal disease, cancer, metastatic cancer, and AIDS.
↵§ Sum of presence of pressure ulcers, indwelling bladder catheter, wheelchair dependency, dependence on others for feeding, and requiring a mechanical lift for transfers.
↵|| Ulcer or gastrointestinal bleed was the only Charlson comorbidity associated with the “do not hospitalize” designation at time of death in initial 2-way tests of comparison and therefore was included in Cox regression models.