A randomized trial of care in a hospital medical unit especially designed to improve the functional outcomes of acutely ill older patients

Article Abstract:

A special geriatric assessment unit in hospitals may reduce the number of elderly patients who are discharged to a nursing home. Elderly hospitalized patients often lose their ability to function independently. Researchers admitted 327 elderly patients to a special geriatric unit in a hospital and compared their outcome to that of 324 elderly patients admitted to the general medical ward. The geriatric unit included structural improvements such as large clocks, rugs and handrails and each patient was assessed daily by a multi-disciplinary team including nurses and social workers. At the time of discharge, more patients in the geriatric unit were able to perform basic activities such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the toilet, compared to those in the ward. Fewer patients in the geriatric unit were transferred to a nursing home and their overall health was better. However, three months after discharge, there was no difference in functional status or overall health between the two groups.

Hospital wards

---

A randomized trial of comprehensive geriatric assessment in the care of hospitalized patients

Article Abstract:

Geriatric assessment programs may not improve survival rates and maintenance of independent living skills in elderly hospitalized patients. Geriatric assessment involves daily assessment of the elderly patient by a multi-disciplinary team including a nurse, social worker and a physician who specializes in geriatrics. Researchers followed 1,261 elderly hospitalized patients who were enrolled in a geriatric assessment program and compared their outcome at three and 12 months after hospitalization to that of 1,016 patients who received standard care. Survival rates were similar in both groups and the percentages of patients who were in good health and could function independently were also similar. This was true even in subgroups of patients who might benefit from a geriatric assessment program, such as those who scored low on tests of independent function.

Health maintenance organizations

---

The value of geriatric interventions

Article Abstract:

Geriatric assessment programs may not produce dramatic improvements in mortality in elderly hospitalized patients but they may still be valuable to the patients and their families. Two 1995 studies evaluating geriatric assessment programs produced conflicting results. One found that elderly patients who were assessed by the multidisciplinary geriatrics team were more likely to improve and less likely to be discharged to a nursing home. However, the other study found no difference in improvement or survival in a group of patients assessed by the geriatrics team compared to a group that was not assessed. Nevertheless, geriatric assessment is relatively inexpensive and can help the patients and their families cope with the complicated health problems of the elderly.

Editorial

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: A randomized multicenter trial assessing a home uterine activity monitoring device used in the absence of daily nursing contact
• Abstracts: A randomized multicenter trial assessing a home uterine activity monitoring device used in the absence of daily nursing contact. part 2
• Abstracts: The smoke hasn't cleared; while you wait for FDA tobacco controls to take effect, you can still do much to help patients quit
• Abstracts: A multicommunity trial for primary prevention of adolescent drug abuse: effects on drug use prevalence. Long-term follow-up results of a randomized drug abuse prevention trial in a white middle-class population
• Abstracts: Managed care and quality. The past, present, and future of nursing home quality. End-stage renal disease core indicators project

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.