Being admitted to the hospital can have serious consequences for older adults. They may lose their ability to do their usual activities and return to living independently at home. Being admitted to an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit can help avoid these consequences. However, we do not know how effective ACE is overall.
In this study, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis. We reviewed all the past studies on ACE and found that, compared to being admitted to a regular unit, patients admitted to an ACE unit:
- Were better able to keep doing their usual activities
- Had less delirium or acute confusion
- Had fewer falls and shorter hospital stays
- Had lower costs of care
- Were more likely to go back home
- Were less likely to be admitted to a nursing home.
The study has gained the attention of the Centers for Reviews and Dissemination in the United Kingdom, the American College of Physicians Journal Club oftheAnnals of Internal Medicine, and Zoomer radio. It has also been credited with providing the evidence to ‘Make the Case for ACE’, a fundamental pillar of the Seniors Strategies in many jurisdictions, including Ontario.
Hospital administrators can use the findings to design services to help older people have fewer complications during a hospital stay and return to their former lives in the community.
The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
