title: Joint geriatric and psychiatric wards: a review of the literature.
abstract: Joint geriatric/psychiatric wards are a potential solution to improving care of older patients with both psychiatric and medical illnesses in acute hospitals. A literature search using Medline, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL between 1980 and 2010 was carried out for information about joint wards for older people. Thirteen relevant papers were identified. These wards share common characteristics and there is evidence that they may reduce length of stay and be cost-effective, but there are no high-quality randomised controlled trials. Further research is needed, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY, UK. jim.george@ncuh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Woodford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000191:economics; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000191:economics; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics