A randomized trial of intra-hospital relocation of geriatric patients in a tertiary-care teaching hospital

Abstract

Growing numbers of aged patients are being cared for in both acute care and chronic care settings. It is often necessary to relocate elderly patients within the institution. Relocations are generally considered to increase mortality and morbidity among the elderly and to be detrimental to activities of daily living. Effects of relocation on long-term patients in an acute care institution are examined. Thirty-six (36) patients were assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group (n = 20) was relocated for nine weeks, while members of the control group (n = 16) remained in their original units. The two groups were evaluated for differences in mortality, morbidity, activities of daily living, and drug management. The experimental group was managed by a geriatrics team during the nine-week relocation period, while the control group remained under the supervision of a general medical surgical team. No statistically significant (P less than 0.05) differences were found with respect to mortality and morbidity, activities of daily living, or drug management. Some clinical improvements were noticed in the experimental group under the geriatrics team's supervision. The authors conclude that if careful consideration is given to the relocation of long-term patients in an acute care setting, detrimental outcomes can be avoided.