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Inpatient geriatric evaluation and management units: organization and care patterns in the Department of Veterans
D Wieland1, S C Hedrick, L Z Rubenstein
1Sepulveda VA Medical Center, CA 91343.
The Gerontologist
|October 1, 1994
Abstract:
Geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMs) are designed to improve the functional health and placement of frail elderly hospital inpatients. We surveyed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GEMs to describe their care patterns and organization. GEMs meeting consensus standards (n = 46) varied considerably. Hospital, GEM, and patient-admission factors (e.g., hospital psychiatric mix, GEM location, proportion of GEM admissions from nursing homes) predicted length-of-stay, readmission rate, and discharge status. Ongoing monitoring may improve the effectiveness of VA GEMs systemwide.