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VIDEO: Even small measures to increase geriatric patients’ activity in the hospital can improve outcomes

NEW ORLEANS – Geriatric patients in the hospital spend as much as 93% of their time in bed, significantly increasing their risk for complications including pressure ulcers, insomnia, constipation, incontinence, and decreased functional status, Evelyn Granieri, MD, MPH, MSEd, chief of the division of geriatric medicine and aging at Columbia University College of Physicians, told Healio Internal Medicine.

While organizing dedicated walking programs would yield benefits in most cases, even simple steps such as opening drapes or encouraging families to walk with patients would slow the rate of function loss.

“People who come into the hospital who are functionally impaired leave the hospital by and large with more functional impairment, and that’s often the result of what we do, or don’t do, and that’s get them out of bed,” Granieri said.

Disclosure: Granieri reported no relevant financial disclosures.