The effectiveness of a geriatric assessment team on improving selected problems (functional, social, fall risk, nutrition, medication, depression, cognition, incontinence) with 140 high-risk elderly hospital patients was evaluated. Care recommendations for 110 patients were made by the team, and physician implementation rates for the interventions varied from 44% to 100%. Depression interventions led to significant patient improvement over time, and patients with cognitive impairment had the longest length of stay and a decreased likelihood of being discharged to home. When the recommended focused interventions are implemented, patient management can be improved and resource use reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]