[Multidimensional geriatric assessment as clinical approach to the multimorbid patient in acute care]

The multidimensional geriatric assessment is an interdisciplinary diagnostic process, taking into account several health dimensions. The resulting know-ledge is used to establish a treatment plan. The multidimensional geriatric assessment has shown its efficacy in the acute care treatment of multidimensionally ill and polymorbid patients in acute geriatric structures. The multidimensional geriatric assessment plays a central role in questions regarding the allocation of resources and is becoming more important because of the demographic development and the rapidly changing framework in our health system. It ensures that older patients don't slip through the net in a more fragmented clinical medicine. Growing evidence allows using this assessment approach in polymorbid patients being treated in specialised fields as traumatology, cardiology, oncology and nephrology.