In-hospital mortality, prolonged length of hospital stay and institutionalization at discharge of older adults are widely discussed in the medical literature, because of their implications on clinical practice and health care costs. In older patients a prolonged hospitalization might worsen their vulnerability, enhancing the risk of functional loss, institutionalization and death [1]. Early identification of patients at higher risk of in-hospital mortality, longer length of hospital stay and non-home discharge is recommended in order to make more appropriate and early choices regarding hospital care and discharge.
