• S J White, J S Powers, J R Knight, D Harrell, L Varnell, C Vaughn, D Brawner, and M C Burger.
• Department of Nursing, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2410.
• J Tenn Med Assoc. 1994 Oct 1; 87 (10): 425-8.

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of an acute interdisciplinary inpatient geriatric service in a university hospital.DesignProspective randomized control study.SettingLarge urban university hospital.Patients40 consecutive inpatients, randomized for inclusion on the geriatric service (study patients, n = 20) or to continue usual hospital care (control patients, n = 20) from among the geriatric consult population.Main Outcome MeasuresSubjects were followed for changes in length of stay, hospital costs, diagnostic testing, pharmacy use, functional status, discharge disposition, and readmission within 30 days after hospitalization.ResultsMean age of patients study 79.2 years (control 73.9 years). Sixty percent of study patients went home and 30% to nursing homes (control 20% home, 65% nursing homes) P = .03. Total length of stay mean 20.3 days study (control 32.7 days), length of stay after randomization mean 7.7 days study (control 11.2 days), mean overall hospital costs $23,906 study (control $45,189), and mean hospital costs after randomization study $4,671 (control $9,404) were not significantly different by F-tests due to wide variability. Laboratory use was reduced with mean 4.4 tests study (control 16.9) P = .01 and mean laboratory costs $263 study (control $828) P = .02. Functional ability improved (scale 1-7) with mean improvement study 0.8 (control 0.3) P = .09. Mean number of medications were lower in the study group by 30% P = .02; mean cost of medications at discharge was reduced with study $38 (control $112); and mean pharmacy charges after randomization decreased $462 study (control $1,268) P = .06. Readmission 30 days after discharge was not significantly different (study 21%, control 33%).ConclusionsAn interdisciplinary acute geriatric service can be cost effective in providing care to elderly patients in a university hospital. It can improve outcomes measured by decreased laboratory and pharmacy usage, improved functional status, and discharge to a lesser level of care without increasing length of stay or early readmission after discharge.

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