The ACE program is well defined, and all studies
have reported identical implementation of the
program. These reports on the ACE program
show positive outcomes in multiple areas. ACEcare results in a positive trend in ADL performance
improvement. Patients on ACE units
have a shorter length of stay than those on other
units. Patients spend less time in nursing
homes or long-term care facilities in the 3-12
months following discharge from an ACE
unit. Additionally, patients on ACE units
spend less time in physical or physical restraints
and depression is recognized and
treated more often than on other units. These
findings suggest that the ACE program is an effective
model of care for elderly patients with improved
outcomes compared with caring for
geriatric patients on other units.