Annals of internal medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of a geriatric consultation team on functional status of elderly hospitalized patients. A randomized, controlled clinical trial.
To evaluate the impact of a geriatric consultation team on the functional status of hospitalized elderly patients. ⋯ Among elderly patients entering an acute-care hospital, approximately 60% had some degree of, and one third had serious functional disability. Such patients are at risk for further decline during hospitalization. A geriatric consultation team was unable to alter the degree of functional decline. Geriatric units or consultation teams may have to offer direct preventive or restorative services in addition to advice if improvements are to be made.