Older patients are at risk for loss of self-care abilities during the course of an acute medical\nillness that results in hospitalization. The Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit is a continuous quality\nimprovement model of care designed to prevent the patientâ??s loss of independence from admission\nto discharge in the performance of activities of daily living (hospital-associated disability). The ACE\nunit intervention includes principles of a prepared environment that encourages safe patient self-care,\na set of clinical guidelines for bedside care by nurses and other health professionals to prevent patient\ndisability and restore self-care lost by the acute illness, and planning for transitions of care and medical\ncare. By applying a structured process, an interdisciplinary team completes a geriatric assessment,\nfollows clinical guidelines, and initiates plans for care transitions in concert with the patient and\nfamily. Three randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews of ACE or related interventions\ndemonstrate reduced functional disability among patients, reduced risk of nursing home admission,\nand lower costs of hospitalization. ACE principles could improve elderly care in any acute setting.\nThe aim of this commentary is to describe the ACE model and the basis of its effectiveness.
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