A new approach to caring for seniors
A 79-year-old man, extremely active and independent, is admitted to the hospital with severe stomach cramps. His doctor wants to ease the pain and run some tests to make sure the cramps aren't caused by an intestinal blockage. The patient is mentally alert and active.
One week later, there's a dramatic change in him: he's confused, agitated and gets winded just getting out of bed. He's lived by himself for years without a problem, but now his doctor doesn't think he should return home alone after discharge. What happened?
"Studies show that during a hospital stay, older patients often experience setbacks such as malnutrition, disorientation and loss of strength that reduce their ability to care for themselves independently," says
Mark Van Kooy, MD, medical director of the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit. "The ACE Unit was designed to prevent these setbacks."
The only ACE Unit in South Jersey
Virtua's new 22-bed ACE Unit brings the most advanced concepts of geriatric health care to South Jersey seniors. Patients are treated with an innovative team approach to inpatient care that's tailored to address the special needs of older adults. For instance: "We coordinate tests to avoid prolonged fasting and arrange quick referrals to address mobility problems and dietary needs," says Terry Fazio, APN, a geriatric nurse practitioner and coordinator of the program. "Small changes make a huge difference when it comes to helping older patients maintain their mental and physical abilities."
These changes also benefit primary care physicians. "Terry is an advocate for my patients from admission to discharge, coordinating all tests, medications and referrals," says Virtua internist
Eduardo Enriquez, MD, who frequently admits patients to the ACE Unit. "For me, the continuous monitoring means streamlined rounds, less paperwork and more time with my patients. It also means support for my patients that can reduce their length-of-stay and lessen the chance of readmission."