Objective: There is no accepted definition of geriatric post-acute or rehabilitation care. The exact role within the healthcare network and the function of units providing such care remain to be clarified. We describe the activity of geriatric post-acute or rehabilitation care units in four French hospitals to identify common features and provide elements of practical interest concerning their role in the healthcare network.
Methods: Data from 4 healthcare institutions in France recorded in the 1999 Medical Information System were analyzed.
Results: Geriatric post-acute or rehabilitation units generally provided care for patients over 80 years of age in short-stay wards. These patients were dependent and recovering from an acute illness. In addition to rehabilitation and medical care, given according to the patients' needs, the units also provided social counseling and acute care as in other short-stay wards. A wide variety of pathological conditions was observed. At discharge most patients returned to their home or were transferred to a nursing home.
Conclusion: Geriatric post-acute or rehabilitation units meet the requirements proposed in French legislation and in addition provide social counseling and acute care services, which is evidence of the deficiencies in the healthcare network in the field of elderly patient care.