Table 1.
Characteristics in Hospitalizations With a Procedure Code of PEG Tube Among the Elderly Patients by Era From 1993 to 2003
| Variable | 1993-1997 | 1998-2003 | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 80.2 | 80.1 | .086 |
| Female (%) | 56.3 | 54.9 | <.001 |
| Race (%) | |||
| Black | 17.0 | 18.0 | .223 |
| White | 74.2 | 68.8 | <.001 |
| Hispanic | 5.9 | 7.9 | .004 |
| Other | 2.8 | 5.3 | <.001 |
| Admit source (%) | |||
| ED | 55.2 | 62.6 | <.001 |
| Transfer (hospital) | 5.2 | 5.3 | .805 |
| Transfer (facility) | 9.9 | 7.0 | <.001 |
| Routine | 29.7 | 25.0 | <.001 |
| Died (%) | 12.4 | 12.1 | .146 |
| Hospital region (%) | |||
| Midwest | 17.4 | 20.0 | .001 |
| South | 46.2 | 43.4 | .003 |
| West | 12.9 | 14.4 | .026 |
| Northeast | 23.5 | 22.3 | .131 |
| Patient LOS | 21.0 | 18.4 | <.001 |
Abbreviations: PEG, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; ED, emergency department; LOS, length of stay;