It appears that although the web-based technology is gaining popularity and leads to lower cost per response, the conventional postal method of surveying continues to deliver a better response rate among the geriatric medicine division chiefs. The web-based approach holds promise given its lower costs and acceptable response rate combined with the shorter response time.

Objectives To measure the rates of hospitalization, readmission, and potentially avoidable hospitalization (PAH) in the Program of All‐Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Design Retrospective study. Setting PACE. Participants PACE enrollees. Measurements Hospitalization and PAH rates were measured per 1,000 person‐years. Readmission was defined as any return to the hospital within 30 days of prior hospital discharge. PAHs were defined as hospitalizations for conditions that previously established criteria have identified as possibly preventable or manageable without hospitalization. Results Rate of hospitalization was 539/1,000, vs 962/1,000 for dually eligible aged or disabled waiver (ADW) enrollees. Thirty‐day readmission was 19.3%, compared with 22.9% for the national population of dually eligible older enrollees. PAH rate was 100/1,000, compared with 250/1,000 for dually eligible ADW enrollees. Considerable variation was observed between sites. Conclusion PACE enrollees experienced lower rates of hospitalization, readmission, and PAH than similar populations. Variations in hospitalization rates between PACE sites suggest opportunities for quality improvement.

ACE units are attractive interdisciplinary models to address the particular needs of the elderly during their hospital stay. Low presence of ACE units warrants further research as to reasons more hospitals have not included them, given the available evidence for clinical, functional, and economic benefits.

Our results confirm the hypotheses that ACE unit patients have lower medical care cost, shorter LOS, and fewer readmissions. Thus, ACE unit may be a beneficial model for improved inpatient care of elderly.