Promoting quality and cost-effective care to geropsychiatric patients

The goals of the project described here were to reduce the length of hospital stay, decrease financial losses, improve care for the elderly, and improve the attitudes and knowledge of nursing staff caring for the elderly. Data collected included reimbursement information, nursing staff variables, and outcomes of patient care. Staff knowledge and attitudes were measured by Palmore's "Facts on Aging" and Kogan's "Old People Scale." Patient data were collected through a retrospective review of records. Central to the project was the utilization of a geropsychiatry clinical nurse specialist who facilitated a number of interventions. Length of hospital stay and financial losses were significantly reduced. A change in knowledge levels and positive attitudes of nursing staff occurred, although the change was not statistically significant. An association between attitudes and job satisfaction was found, and patient outcomes were improved in approximately half the cases. Specialized programming can enhance the care of geropsychiatry patients and can be cost-effective.