Unassigned Geriatric Evaluation and Management program: preventing sub-acute hospital admissions

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the Unassigned Geriatric Evaluation and Management (UGEM) program recently developed at Bundoora Extended Care Centre (BECC). The UGEM program resembles a bed substitution service and aims to prevent hospital admissions by providing community case management services to clients who would otherwise require inpatient admission. Data was collected on 36 clients who had received UGEM services. Twenty-six clients/carers also took part in a follow-up telephone satisfaction interview. Overall, the evaluation indicates that the UGEM program is a flexible, valuable and effective service. Most UGEM clients could be maintained at home with services, and this suggests that the program succeeds in assisting many clients to avoid hospitalisation in crisis situations. Further, clients and carers displayed a very high level of satisfaction with the service. The ongoing funding of such program is crucial in order to maintain the reduction in hospital admissions and hence the high costs associated with inpatient care.