Abstract
The admission of older patients with acute medical problems to short stay medical units (SSMUs) is controversial in light of their longer expected length of in-patient stay (LoS), coupled with the greater resources required by such a department. We undertook a prospective study of 120 consecutive SSMU patients aged 60 years or over, to find out whether information gained during the admissions process could predict which candidates would subsequently have a successful SSMU outcome, as well as to assess the overall suitability of the SSMU to older patients. Our redesigned acute medicine services at Addenbrooker’s Hospital (Cambridge, UK) have taken account of our results, and we continue to admit older patients to our new Medical Short Stay Emergency Unit.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
