Complexity and Care Needs of Elderly Patients in Internal Medicine Wards: A Prevalence Study

The progressive ageing of the population increases the clinical and functional complexity of elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards. This study aims to describe the complexity of elderly patients in internal medicine wards, focusing on their clinical and functional characteristics. A prevalence study was conducted in 19 internal medicine wards in a north-eastern region of Italy, including 700 elderly patients. The assessment covered demographic characteristics, clinical status, comorbidities, Activities of Daily Living, fall risk through Conley scale, pressure injury risk through Norton scale and medical devices. Hospitalised elderly patients present complex clinical and functional profiles, with high comorbidity and moderate risks of falls and pressure injuries. The findings support the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary care approaches that address patient complexity, maintain autonomy, and integrate hospital-community continuity of care through healthcare team collaboration.