Department for outpatient diagnostics

INTERNAL MEDICINE UNIT

In accordance with the medical indications and on request of the practicing doctor, patients can be subject to specialist-consulting examination either at home or in the Institute facilities , in cardiology (ECG, ambulatory blood pressure and ECG monitoring, heart ultrasound), angiology (Doppler of peripheral blood vessels), pulmology (spirometry, gas analyses, pulse oxiometry), endocrinology, gastroenterolgy (abdomen ultrasound), including consultations with clinical pharmacologist, pain diagnostics and therapy. Special attention is paid to prevention of the pathological aging through the control of the chronic illness and prevention of the complications of chronic diseases.

This unit carries out its work through Ultrasound Diagnostic Section and Teams for cardiovascular diseases, metabolic and endocrine diseases, pulmonary and digestive system diseases, rheumatic diseases and prevention of the pathological aging.

PSYCHOGERIATRIC UNIT

The Unit provides the services of detecting mental disorders, treating the patients with mental diseases, and taking preventive measures. It gives psychological support to the people who use our services. Regular consultations with the Institute for Mental Health are intended to help the patients with mental disorders and nervous system diseases, particularly the most significant organic psychotic conditions, which can be treated successfully at patients’ homes. The Psychogeriatric Unit includes Pain Diagnostic and Therapy Team.

Pain Diagnostics and Therapy Team – includes accurate pain diagnostics, evaluation of the past diagnostic procedures and application of adequate analgetic therapy. Precise pain diagnostics consists of the pain history, pain behaviour observation, examination by a doctor, who diagnoses the pain, taking measurements, additional examinations by other doctors, if necessary, for accurate pain diagnosis and the pain diagnosis coding. Application of the adequate analgetic therapy is in accordance with the accurately diagnosticed pain, followed by revaluation of the implemented therapy and achieved analgetic effects. In addition to this, Pain Diagnostics and Therapy Team assesses appropriateness of innovations for use by the vulnerable population of the old people, determines protocols of diagnostics and pain treatment, and tests their efficiency periodically. Decisions on application of the appropriate analgetic therapy are made in accordance with the accurate pain diagnosis, taking into account the specifics of pharmacotherapy in old age. Patients are checked up to monitor actual analgetic effect, accompanied with revaluation of pain and applied analgesia. This Team performs scientific and clinical research work, with the individual improvement in competences in diagnostic and therapeutic skills. It develops its relations with the counterparts from other regions, at the national and international levels.

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION UNIT deals with various kinds of physical therapy (kinesitherapy, electroteraphy, laser therapy, sonotherapy, mechanotherapy, phototherapy, hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, including work therapy), provides training and health education for the patients and their family members, and works on prevention of the health deterioration and progression of the chronicle diseases which can have adverse effects on the functional status of the patient. Achieved results are evaluated; orthopaedic aids are prescribed for the patients, who are also trained how to use them.

UNIT FOR IMPROVEMENT IN GERIATRIC CARE

Section for gerontology and improvement in the quality of the health care for the old people

This section studies the issues related to the aging process and old age; intensively monitors and studies the factors of relevance for health care of the old people, by analysing the data about the population aging and demographic determinants, monitoring of the health status of the old population, analysing the use of the health care and the needs of the health care and social welfare of the old people. It also deals with determination and implementation of the measures for improvement in quality of the health care for old people managed by the Institute, and performs scientific research work in gerontology and geriatrics.

The subjects of regular studies include the latest advancements in diagnostics and therapy of the diseases characteristic for the old population, as well as the factors of relevance for health care of the old people, with special focus on the psychosocial and other important aspects of health, healthy aging and better living in old age. The Unit monitors the specifics of the drug use among the old population. The multidimensional approach implemented here, enables comprehensive understanding of the issues of relevance for the aging process and measures for improvement in the living quality in old age.

Social Medicine Section

IT and Statistics Team deals with the statistical processing and analysis of the data related to the operation of the Institute, processing of the data about the health status, functional ability and social needs of the old people treated and cared at home, and the monitoring of the demographic and health features of the old age population in Belgrade and Serbia.

Planning and Analysis Team works on preparation of the periodical and annual reports on the Institute operation and the Institute’s Operation Plan; processing and delivery of the reports stipulated by law, and evaluation of the scope and quality of work in Sections and Departments within the Institute.