Assessment and Prevention of Geriatric Functional Decline

The geriatric population continues to grow.  At an acute care hospital, the Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living tool was implemented to identify patients at risk for functional decline.  Outlined nurse-initiated interventions were created to prevent the incidence of functional decline while hospitalized in the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit.  This quality improvement initiative required nurses to assess the function of the patient during various stages of the patients’ illness.  The nurse used the Katz tool upon admission to assess the patients function 3 months prior to admission, on the date of admission, and upon discharge.   The completed Katz tools (N= 31) were compiled after an eight week period to measure the effectiveness.  This poster presentation will provide the overview of the Katz tool and the nurse-initiated interventions.  The result of this study reveals interesting outcomes that will impact the geriatric population in the acute care setting.  Administrators will gain knowledge in strategies for development and incorporation of a geriatric functional assessment tool with prevention interventions at the bedside.  Staff nurses will be able to identify and discuss the importance of assessing geriatric function and implementing interventions to prevent functional decline while hospitalized.