Aim: to create and validate a Risk Index for Geriatric Acute Medical Admissions (RIGAMA) for those aged ≥ 65, based on accumulation of deficits.
Methods: we retrospectively validated a 30-item RIGAMA against inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), discharge to long-term care (LTC) and 30-day readmission, adjusted for age.
Results: ≥ 1 RIGAMA deficit was superior to age in predicting mortality and prolonged LOS, with a clear incremental effect. The latter was true for ≥3 deficits in predicting 30-day readmission. Three to 5 deficits predicted discharge to LTC better than age.
Conclusions: RIGAMA is easy to collect by the admitting junior doctor and may help trigger early senior support and inform the appropriate use of hospital resources by older patients.