Specialty Assessments & Care for the Hospitalized Patient

The Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) concept was developed at University Hospitals in 1994. This program combines the principles of geriatric assessment and quality improvement within the context of the culture of the hospital. ACE intervention, begun by Cleveland's Dr. Seth Landefeld (now with University of Alabama at Birmingham), includes a controlled environment, patient-centered care, interdisciplinary team rounds, planning for the patient's return home and medical care review.

Now led by Dr. DeGolia and Denise Kresevich, RN, CNS, UH Cleveland Medical Center conducts ACE rounds on a medical floor and a surgical floor. The interdisciplinary team consists of a gerontologic clinical nurse specialist, a geriatrician (physician specialized in caring for older adults), a social worker, pharmacist, rehabilitation therapist, dietitian, and floor nurses.