Estimation of Long-term Care among in-patients at a Veterans Hospital

Background: This study was done to estimate the size of long-term care in-patients in one Veterans Hospital. Using KADL and KIADL (developed in 2002, verified validity & reliability), we evaluated the activities of daily living among in-patients in Daegu Veterans Hospital. Methods: During the two months in June and July 2003, interviews were conducted by two interviewers. Daegu Veterans Hospital is 300-bed hospital and 257 in-patients were interviewed. Information from patients, care-givers, nurses and others were obtained. We classified a patient as severely disabled reguiring long-term care if one's total-KADL score over 16. Results: The patients studied were representative of in-patients of Daegu Veterans Hospital. Their characteristics were males, old aged, slightly lower education but with high income compared to community based people. Among the total, 34% were classified as severe disabled (total-KALD score over 16) needing long-term care. The distribution of total-KADL was bi-modal (both the independent group and the dependent group occupied a high percentage). But the distribution of total-KIADL was more skewed to the independent group and we were able to estimate that the real long-term care need might be over 34%. Average admission period during the recent six months was 83.3 days in all-covered patients and 55.3 days in partial-covered patients. There was no significant correlation between the total-KADL/KIADL score and the admission period. It was suggested that Daegu Veterans Hospital was utiliged as a long-term care hospital. Conclusion: Among the total, 34% of admitted patients was classified as a long-term care group. Considering KIADL, the percentage of patients needing long-term care may be greater than those studied.