Poster Presentations
Aims: Evidence suggests patients from CALD backgrounds may have poorer health outcomes, due to a complex interplay of factors. We aimed to investigate inhospital outcomes for such patients admitted to our new Aged Care Rapid Investigation and Assessment (ARIA) unit. Methods: ARIA heralds a new development within our tertiary hospital, comprising a specialised multidisciplinary team casefinding older patients for admission to a rapidaccess geriatric unit. We prospectively included all such patients admitted to ARIA over a 14 month period and investigated whether CALD status was associated with hospital length of stay (LOS), ED LOS, new RACF admission, inhospital death, or 90day representation. Results: In total, 58% (107/185) patients were from CALD backgrounds, most commonly Italy (22), China (10) and Vietnam (8). Twothirds (69/107) patients were classified as nonEnglish speaking (NES; insufficient English to communicate their history). Compared to nonCALD patients, patients from CALD background were frailer (mean premorbid CSHA score 5.86 versus 5.59, P = 0.03); no differences were seen in terms of age (P = 0.35), sex (P = 0.19) or Charlson comorbidity index (P = 0.11). On multivariable analysis, adjusting for age, delirium, dementia and RACF residence, those from CALD background had a longer ED LOS (adjusted regression coefficient 2.59, P = 0.048; 9 versus 7 hours). CALD background was not associated with other markers of poor outcome. NES status alone was not associated with outcomes assessed. Conclusions: In this cohort of older inpatients, CALD status was not associated with poorer outcomes. Further research might focus on patient and provider factors influencing possible improvements in care and outcomes for these patients. POSTER PRESENTATIONS