title: The impact of a comprehensive multi-dimensional geriatric assessment programme on duration of stay in a French acute medical ward.
abstract: The impact of a multi-dimensional geriatric assessment (MDGA) programme on the reorientation of the elderly person at discharge is described. One hundred and six elderly persons from a hospital catchment area identified for its poor level of social services, poor living conditions and high prevalence of dependency were allocated to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group was given the multi-dimensional assessment in the first three days of admission while the control group was subject to the usual hospital procedures. The study shows that the provision to the medical staff of easily obtained information relating to the individual's level of dependency and living conditions, in conjunction with recommendations for possible post-discharge placement, significantly reduced prolongation of stay due to non-medical reasons, albeit without a measurable impact on the whole duration of hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: INSERM-Equipe Vieillissement Cognitif, Centre Val d'Aurelle, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ledesert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lombrail
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yeni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carbon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brodin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010297:Paris; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment