ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe interventions included in the implementation of a multidisciplinary Geriatrics Program that gives support to nursing homes, in coordination with Primary Care and Public Health, in collaboration with other hospital departments. METHODS: An observational descriptive study was conducted in an area that includes 60 nursing homes with nearly 4600 residents from June 1 st, 2020 to October 1 st, 2021. The program consists of different interventions including Telemedicine and support of a Geriatric Consultation Liaison Team. An estimation of avoided costs through these interventions was carried out. RESULTS: The activity recorded was 11502 telephone calls, 2247 e-mails, 313 visits to these centres in where 4085 patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. During this period of time 442 patients received intravenous therapy in their nursing homes, including 7541 different types of medication which 5850 of them were antibiotics. According to the Diagnosis-related-Group (DRG) of the patients that received intravenous treatment in their nursing homes, was estimated a cost reduction of 1,500,00 and a total of 2800 days of hospital stay avoided. In the group of 198 patients that received video consultation was estimated reduction of costs of 37,026. A hospital multidisciplinary care team focused on the nursing home patients was created. CONCLUSIONS: This program improves continuity of nursing homes patients care and to enhance communication and coordination among Primary Care, Hospitals and Public Health services and secondarily, reducing hospital costs.