Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of study participants
| Variable | 3-Day Routine Change Group (n = 177) |
Clinically Indicated Change Group (n = 185) |
|---|---|---|
| Sex - Male, n (%) | 96 (54%) | 103 (56%) |
| Age, mean (SD) | 65.1 (17.3) | 62.7 (15.4) |
| Reason for admission, n (%) | ||
| • Gastrointestinal | 46 (26%) | 52 (28%) |
| • Respiratory | 37 (21%) | 34 (18%) |
| • Oncology | 21 (12%) | 21 (11%) |
| • Orthopaedic | 16 (9%) | 22 (12%) |
| • Cardiac | 10 (6%) | 10 (5%) |
| • Neurological | 9 (5%) | 10 (5%) |
| • Vascular | 7 (4%) | 7 (4%) |
| • Renal | 16 (9%) | 9 (5%) |
| • Other | 15 (8%) | 20 (11%) |
| Number of comorbidities, n (%) | ||
| • None | 6 (3.4%) | 10 (5.4%) |
| • 1 | 22 (12.4%) | 21 (11.4%) |
| • 2 | 44 (24.9%) | 54 (29.2%) |
| • >2 | 105 (59.3%) | 100 (54.1%) |
| Type of surgery, n (%) | ||
| • Nil | 124 (70%) | 132 (71%) |
| • Gastrointestinal | 22 (12%) | 22 (12%) |
| • Orthopaedic | 8 (5%) | 15 (8%) |
| • Other | 23 (13%) | 16 (9%) |
| Most recent Hb - Mean (SD) | 124.8 (23.2) | 126.2 (21.9) |