[Intermediate geriatric care in Geneva: experience of ten years]

Rev Med Suisse. 2012 Nov 7;8(361):2133-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Population aging has generated an increased demand for acute healthcare services in persons aged over 65, who may represent up to half of all patients treated in intensive care units (ICU). However, the number of available ICU beds is limited. Intermediate care units (IntCU) require less human and technical resources, and may represent an interesting alternative to intensive care in the geriatric population. This article describes a 10-year, single centre experience at a geriatrics IntCU in Geneva. We observed a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality after the creation of the IntCU (2000-2001) compared to the 2 years immediately preceding its inception (1998-1999).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging*
  • Chronic Disease / mortality*
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Geriatrics / methods*
  • Geriatrics / organization & administration
  • Geriatrics / standards
  • Geriatrics / trends
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Hospital Bed Capacity / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Intermediate Care Facilities / organization & administration
  • Intermediate Care Facilities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Health Care*
  • Switzerland / epidemiology