Acute Hospital Care

Abstract

Acute hospitalization provides an opportunity to improve chronic disease management. Hospital care ideally starts with a structured, patient-centered approach at admission and ends with successful posthospital planning. When evaluating a chronically ill patient for possible admission, it is important to address the patient’s presenting complaints and gather collateral subjective and objective information regarding both the acute problem and underlying chronic medical conditions. During the hospital course, a team-based approach can promote the prevention of iatrogenic errors and nosocomial infections as well as the acute care management of the presenting problem and the chronic illness. Discharge planning should ideally begin at the time of admission in order to facilitate a timely and effective transition after the acute hospitalization. When hospital care is well executed, there is great potential to improve outcomes, maximize healthcare utilization, and reduce costs.