PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
Posted by admin on November 18th, 2009The negative effects of hospitalization often begin immediately and progress rapidly. In theory, formal geriatric assessment of hospitalized elderly patients should help identify risk factors. Unfortunately, in practice, by the time consultation and intervention occur, the problems
have evolved. Although the formal assessment is useful for long-term management and for evaluating the effects of intervention, the lime it lakes may actually delay care that could prevent decline.
The hospital environment should be designed lo prevent significant functional decline among elderly patients. Physicians should exert as much influence as possible to ensure that necessary changes are made throughout the hospital because elderly patients use almost all ser¬vices. Acute care geriatric units may provide safer environments than general hospital units.
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