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How to Develop, Start, and Sustain an Acute Care for Elders Unit

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Acute Care for Elders

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

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Abstract

The Acute Care for Elders, or ACE, unit is an evidence-based model of care focused on improving the management of acutely ill hospitalized older adults. The process of establishing an ACE unit as a new hospital program begins with development of a vision. Hospital administrators must understand and appreciate the demographics of the aging population as well as their unique needs and the potential complications they may suffer as a result of a hospitalization. Next, leaders in geriatrics must bring together an interdisciplinary team that should follow a systematic “ABC” approach to ACE unit implementation. Data collection is another important step, both in identifying and establishing the need for an ACE unit and following unit outcome measures as a means of showcasing the value-added to patients, staff, and the broader hospital system. Strong leadership to support ACE and potentially expand its reach beyond a single unit is essential in sustaining and growing the ACE program. Finally, education of patients, families, and the hospital staff, including nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team, is also essential for continued success.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Senior Health and Longevity, ACE Unit and Senior Services, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, 1020 North 12th Street, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA

    Ellen S. Danto-Nocton M.D.

  2. Department of Transitional Care and Utilization Management Administration, Summa Health System, Akron City Hospital, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH, 44304-1619, USA

    Carolyn Holder M.S.N., R.N., G.C.N.S.-B.C.

  3. Acute Care for Elders Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5g 1x5

    Rebecca Ramsden R.N., M.N., N.P., G.N.C.C.

  4. Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, H6367, 2900 West Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53213, USA

    Jonny Macias Tejada M.D. & Anita Steliga G.N.P.

  5. Center for Senior Health and Longevity, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, 1020 North 12th Street, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA

    Karen Padua D.O.

Authors
  1. Ellen S. Danto-Nocton M.D.
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  2. Carolyn Holder M.S.N., R.N., G.C.N.S.-B.C.
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  3. Rebecca Ramsden R.N., M.N., N.P., G.N.C.C.
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  4. Jonny Macias Tejada M.D.
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  5. Anita Steliga G.N.P.
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  6. Karen Padua D.O.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ellen S. Danto-Nocton M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Michael L. Malone

  2. Hunter College, New York, New York, USA

    Elizabeth A. Capezuti

  3. Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

    Robert M. Palmer

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Danto-Nocton, E.S., Holder, C., Ramsden, R., Tejada, J.M., Steliga, A., Padua, K. (2014). How to Develop, Start, and Sustain an Acute Care for Elders Unit. In: Malone, M., Capezuti, E., Palmer, R. (eds) Acute Care for Elders. Aging Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1025-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1025-0_6

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1024-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1025-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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