Implementing a Comprehensive Functional Model of Care in Hospitalized Older Adults.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care Models

Background:

• Hospitalized older adults often experience prolonged length of stay (LOS).
• High 30-day re-admission rates and fall incidents are significant challenges in geriatric care.
• Current care models may not fully address the complex needs of elderly patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a functional model of care on hospitalized older adults.
• To assess the effects on length of stay (LOS), 30-day re-admission rates, and fall rates.
• To determine the economic impact of implementing this new care model.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a functional model of care tailored for older adults.
• Prospective data collection on key performance indicators (KPIs) including LOS, re-admission rates, and fall rates.
• Analysis of financial data to estimate cost savings associated with intervention outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant positive impact on length of stay (LOS) for hospitalized older adults.
• Reduction observed in 30-day re-admission rates post-intervention.
• Decrease in the rate of falls among the geriatric patient population.
• Estimated cost savings of $200,000 within the first 3 months post-intervention due to LOS reduction.

Conclusions:

• A functional model of care is effective in improving outcomes for hospitalized older adults.
• The model positively influences key healthcare metrics such as LOS, re-admission, and fall rates.
• This approach offers substantial cost savings, demonstrating its economic viability.