OBJETIVOS: Evaluación de un servicio de estancias temporales en residencia de ancianos, comparando los resultados obtenidos con los objetivos generales del programa. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron las historias del total de residentes atendidos desde su inicio en septiembre de 1991 hasta agosto de 1998; recogiéndose datos de filiación, procedencia, motivo de ingreso, nivel funcional, patologías incapacitantes más frecuentes y estancia. Finalmente se analizaron los destinos al alta. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 84 residentes temporales. Edad media 82,3 años. 82% mujeres, 64,2% viudos, que en un 60,7% vivían previamente en domicilio de familiares. El motivo de ingreso respondía en un 33,3% a necesidades tras hospitalización del residente y en un 31% a descanso del cuidador. El 82,1% se consideró asistido y las patologías incapacitantes más frecuentes fueron neurológicas (66,7%). Estancia media 51,2 días. Al finalizar ésta el 59,6% volvieron al domicilio de origen y un 31% se institucionalizaron definitivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque el objetivo principal del servicio es el apoyo a familias que atienden ancianos, en elevada proporción supuso el paso previo a una institucionalización definitiva. La estancia temporal cubrió fundamentalmente necesidades sociales en pacientes geriátricos, con frecuencia tras reagudizaciones.
OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the services offered to short term patients in nursing homes cornparing the results obtained with the general objectives of the program. MATERIAL AND METBODS: The medical records of all the residents tended from september 1991 to august 1998 were studied, and the information concerning the filiation, background, reason for admission, functional level, the most frequent incapacitating pathologies and duration of the stay were compiled. Finally, the destinations at time of discharge were assessed. RESULTS: 84 temporal residents were included. Average age: 82,3. 82% women, 64,2% widows and widowers of whom 60,7% lived with a relative. In 33,3% of cases, the reason for admission was the recovery of the patient after a period in hospital while 31% of the patients were admitted to give some rest to the people in charge of them. 82,1% of the cases were considered to have been tended adequately and the most frequent incapacitating pathologies were neurological (66,7%). Average stay: 51,2 days, after which, 59,6% return home and 31% are institutionalized pemanently. CONCLUSIONS: Although the main objective of the service is to support families in charge of old people, in a fairly high proportion of cases, it turns out to be the previous stage to permanent institutionalization. Temporary stays primarily met social requirements in the case of geriatric patients, especially after an aggravation of the pathology suffered.