title: Innovation pilot study: acute care for elderly unit--promoting patient-centric care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Older patients, defined as age 65 years or older, comprise more than 40% of admissions to the acute care environment. These patients' needs are different; cognitive impairment, chronic health issues, caregiver burden, and maintenance of functional level present challenges to healthcare organizations when caring for this population on a general medical-surgical unit.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A pilot project, the creation of a six-bed Acute Care for Elderly (ACE) unit situated within a 33-bed medical-surgical unit, was established to meet the unique needs of this older patient population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcomes including falls, pressure ulcers, functional level (the latter as measured by the KATZ), and length of stay were examined and demonstrated marked improvement compared to similar patients outside the ACE unit. Older patients need individualized care planning by staff competent in elder care and a specialty unit to address their specific needs.
authors.affiliation: Pomerado Hospital, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064, USA. eva.krall@pph.org
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krall
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Close
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudak
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lampert
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colonnelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D007902:Length of Stay; D008485:Medical Audit; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010865:Pilot Projects