Geriatric‐Based Versus General Wards for Older Acute Medical Patients: A Randomized Comparison of Outcomes and Use of Resources

Abstract

A geriatric approach with greater emphasis on early rehabilitation and discharge planning in the AGW shortened the length of hospital stay and may have reduced the need for long-term institutional living. This occurred despite patients in an acute geriatric ward not having better medical or functional outcome than older acute patients treated in general medical wards.