Abstract: Objective: To systematically search, evaluate, and integrate the relevant evidence on Hospital-Acquired Functional Decline (HAFD) in the elderly to provide evidence-based support for healthcare professionals in preventing and managing HAFD in older adults. Methods: Following the "6S" model, we searched computer decision systems, guidelines, professional society websites, and databases for relevant evidence on age-related decline in geriatric healthcare, including guidelines, clinical decisions, expert consensus, evidence summaries, best practices, and systematic reviews from the database inception to March 10, 2024. Two researchers independently performed literature screening and quality assessment, extracted evidence based on themes and professional judgment. Results: A total of 15 articles were included, comprising 1 clinical decisions, 10 systematic reviews and 4 randomized controlled trial studies. From the aspects of assessment, risk identification, exercise, nutrition and specialized wards for the elderly, 18 pieces of best evidence were summarized. Conclusion: This study provides an evidence-based summary of the best evidence for prevention and management of HAFD in the elderly, offering evidence-based guidance for clinical practice. Healthcare professionals can selectively choose the best evidence based on clinical scenarios, facilitators/barriers identified in the evidence, and patient preferences to minimize hospital acquired functional decline in the elderly.

Key words: aged; Hospital-Acquired Functional Decline; evidence summary; evidence-based nursing