Inpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units: Organization and Care Patterns in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Darryl Wieland, Susan C. Hedrick, Laurence Z. Rubenstein, David M. Buchner, David B. Reuben, Judith O. Harker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMs) are designed to improve the functional health and placement of frail elderly hospital inpatients. We surveyed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GEMs to describe their care patterns and organization. GEMs meeting consensus standards (n = 46) varied considerably. Hospital, GEM, and patient-admission factors (e.g., hospital psychiatric mix, GEM location, proportion of GEM admissions from nursing homes) predicted length-of-stay, readmission rate, and discharge status. Ongoing monitoring may improve the effectiveness of VA GEMs systemwide.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)652-657
Number of pages6
JournalGerontologist
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Geriatric assessment
  • Health services research
  • Nursing home placement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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