A recently developed risk assessment model integrated into electronic health records (EHRs) effectively predicted critical illness in older adults within a year of their primary care visit. The study, published on March 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, introduced the Elders Risk Assessment (ERA) score, assigning it to identify at-risk older adults. The ERA score, ranging from -1 to 34, is easily accessible in the EHR, enabling clinicians to promptly address potential risks. While the ERA score is routinely used for transition programs and care discussions, its application for assessing critical illness risks during primary care visits has been limited.
The research analyzed data from 12,885 individuals aged 65 and older who attended primary care visits at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between 2019 and 2021. Demographic information, comorbidities, hospital stays, and an ERA score were recorded for each participant. The study also examined emergency department visits, ventilator usage, and inpatient stay durations.
Among the participants, 11.3% either entered the intensive care unit or passed away within a year of the primary care visit. The ERA score effectively predicted critical illness, with individuals scoring nine considered suitable candidates for implementing and testing preventive strategies. This research underscores the potential of the ERA score in identifying and addressing health risks during primary care visits for older adults.
