What is the value of a Geriatric Assessment Unit in a teaching hospital?
This study at the Flinders Medical Centre, compared the management of 50 elderly patients, admitted acutely ill to the Geriatric Assessment Unit, with the management of 50 elderly patients admitted, under similar circumstances, to other medical units in the Centre. Patients under the care of the Geriatric Unit had a comparable mean length of stay, were on less medication at discharge, and were more likely to return home to their pre-admission accommodation, compared with patients admitted to other medical units. The multidisciplinary approach adopted in such units, coupled with increased utilization of community based services, appears to significantly limit rates of referral to institutional care.
