Integration between general and geriatric medicine: a needs related policy.
A joint admitting policy between a general physician and a physician in medicine for the elderly reduced the length of stay in acute medical beds by 25% without increasing the length of stay in rehabilitation beds. The basis for the cooperation was not related to age but rather to the perceived needs of the patient on admission. This method of integration between medicine and geriatrics could be implemented in most hospitals.
McLean
K A
KA
Department of Health Care of the Elderly, Nether Edge Hospital, Sheffield.
Austin
C A
CA
Neal
K R
KR
Channer
K S
KS
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005194:Family Practice; D005853:Geriatrics; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010343:Patient Admission; D010360:Patient Transfer; D012189:Retrospective Studies