Table 2 Differences of patients fulfilling the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) criteria

Age

68 (53-79) years

63 (48-74)

p < 0.001

Gender (female)

49.1%

46.2%

p = 0.12

Mortality

3.9%

0.9%

p < 0.001

Mortality 30 days after discharge

9.8%

2.8%

p < 0.001

Length of stay

50.0 (16.3-148.0) hours

18.5 (7.6-51.0) hours

p < 0.001

Length of stay more than 48 hours (n = 1,291, 42.3%)

75.5%

52.0%

p < 0.001

Need for specialized services not included in the AEP criteria (e.g. pacemaker implementation, haemodialysis, coloscopi)

7.2%

3.7%

p < 0.001

Readmission within 30 days after discharge

21.7%

16.0%

p < 0.001

Readmission within 30 days after discharge when admitted for less than 48 hours

30.7%

29.0%

p = 0.43

Co-morbidity defined by one or more co-morbidities according to the Charlson score [10]

59.3%

51.3%

p < 0.001

Nursing home resident

5.8%

2.3%

p < 0.001