ANALYSIS OF LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY AS A PREDICTOR OF MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR FEMUR FRACTURE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN THE STATE OF GOIÁS

Abstract

Introduction: There is concern about the increase in the average length of hospital stay, which is traditionally interpreted as an indicator linked to the quality of care provided. However, in the case of elderly patients, this parameter does not depend exclusively on the efficiency of care, but also reflects factors intrinsic to the geriatric condition itself. Objective: To evaluate the association between length of hospital stay and mortality in elderly patients hospitalized for femur fracture in the state of Goiás, considering prolonged hospitalization as a possible indirect indicator of clinical complications, such as infection, prolonged immobility, and delirium. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective time-series documentary analysis study. The analysis was based on secondary data available on the public platform DATASUS/TABNET, covering the period from January 2021 to August 2025. Results: The analysis of data from DATASUS-TABNET regarding hospitalizations for femur fracture (ICD-10: S72) in elderly individuals (≥60 years) residing in the state of Goiás, from January 2021 to August 2025, revealed relevant information about the distribution of hospitalizations, average length of stay, and hospital mortality. Discussion: The set of results suggests that length of hospital stay can be considered a potential predictor of mortality in elderly individuals with femur fracture. This association reinforces the importance of strategies that reduce length of stay without compromising the quality of care. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that length of hospital stay was directly associated with mortality among elderly patients hospitalized for hip fracture in the state of Goiás. Longer hospital stays were observed to be related to a higher risk of death, suggesting that prolonged hospital stays may reflect clinical complications such as infections, prolonged immobility, functional decline, and delirium.