Acute care for elders units produced shorter hospital stays at lower cost while maintaining patients' functional status

Abstract

Acute Care for Elders Units offer enhanced care for older adults in specially designed hospital units. The care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams, which can include geriatricians, advanced practice nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and physical therapists. In a randomized controlled trial of 1,632 elderly patients, length-of-stay was significantly shorter-6.7 days per patient versus 7.3 days per patient-among those receiving care in the Acute Care for Elders Unit compared to usual care. This difference produced lower total inpatient costs-$9,477 per patient versus $10,451 per patient-while maintaining patients' functional abilities and not increasing hospital readmission rates. The practices of Acute Care for Elders Units, and the principles they embody, can provide hospitals with effective strategies for lowering costs while preserving quality of care for hospitalized elders.

EXHIBIT 1. Cumulative Length-Of-Stay In Acute Care For Elders Intervention Versus Usual-Care Group, Per Patient Enrolled

SOURCE Authors’ analysis of study data. NOTES Cumulative length-of-stay is plotted chronologically as a function of number of patients enrolled. Mean length-of-stay was significantly shorter in the Acute Care for Elders intervention group (6.7 days per patient) than in the usual-care control group (7.3 days per patient) (p = 0.004).

EXHIBIT 2. Cumulative Cost Of Acute Care For Elders Intervention Versus Usual Care, Per Patient Enrolled

SOURCE Authors’ analysis of study data. NOTES Cumulative costs are plotted chronologically as a function of the number of patients enrolled. Mean costs were significantly lower in the Acute Care for Elders intervention group ($9,477 per patient) than in the usual-care control group ($10,451 per patient) (p < 0:001).