Gathering facts to drive change: Services for acutely ill elderly people presenting to a general hospital

Authors: Allen, S., Stockdale, R., Black, T. and Raza, T.

Journal: Clinician in Management

Volume: 13

Issue: 1

Pages: 53-58

ISSN: 0965-5751

Abstract:

Complex services working under pressure are a fertile source of myths and misconceptions that can hinder a constructive search for creative solutions. A paucity of robust information inevitably reinforces such a collective mindset. We describe a systematic prospective survey of acute medical admissions using locally relevant definitions and direct clinical assessment of frail and/or elderly patients. This generated a large credible information set which had the confidence and support of staff across a range of professions and departments, thus sweeping aside several prevailing misunderstandings and paving the way for realistic planning and change management. © 2005 Radcliffe Publishing.

Source: Scopus