Geriatric Evaluation and Management
Also written as: GEM — Geriatric Evaluation and Management
A subacute care type in which the primary clinical purpose is the multidimensional assessment and optimisation of an older patient's medical, functional, and psychosocial status.
Full Definition
Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) is formally defined as a subacute care type under the Australian National Non-Acute Hospital classification, alongside rehabilitation, palliative care, and psychogeriatric care. GEM admissions are characterised by the absence of a single, discrete functional goal and instead focus on stabilising and optimising complex, multifactorial conditions such as falls, incontinence, delirium superimposed on dementia, and medication-related harm. Editors should be aware that GEM and rehabilitation are distinct care types in Australian health records even though both occur on geriatric wards. The abbreviation GEM is standard in Commonwealth and state health documents and should be expanded on first use.
Usage
Usage note: In Australian administrative documents, GEM and rehabilitation are separate, mutually exclusive care type classifications. Do not use them interchangeably.
In Context
- "The care type was coded as Geriatric Evaluation and Management rather than rehabilitation, as no specific functional recovery goal had been identified." — Hospital health information coding document
- "GEM admissions typically involve a full interdisciplinary review of falls risk, medications, and continence." — Clinical guideline