Improving outcomes The following strategies can help reduce functional decline and improve care of older patients: Geriatric interdisciplinary team: To identify and meet the complex needs of older patients and to watch for and prevent problems that are common among them and that may develop or worsen during hospitalization Primary care nurse (one nurse with around-the-clock responsibility for a particular patient): To administer the team's care plan, to monitor response to nursing and medical care, and to teach and counsel patients, staff members, and family members Changes in the hospital environment, often made by nurses: For example, to move disruptive patients into the hall near the nursing station or to change roommates for a patient Rooming-in programs for a family member: To provide better one-on-one care, to relieve staff members of some caregiving tasks, to allay patient anxiety (particularly if patients have delirium or dementia), and to enable a family member to participate actively in the patient's recovery High-quality communication among practitioners: To prevent errors in and duplication of diagnostic procedures and treatments (particularly drugs); to implement better systems of communication such as walking rounds and warm handoffs (A warm handoff is a transfer of care that is conducted in person, between 2 members of the health care team, in front of the patient [and family, if present].)