Separate Emergency Center for Older Patients Leads to High Levels of Patient Satisfaction, Detection of Polypharmacy, Increased Volume of Patients, and Low Rate of Return Visits
Snapshot
Summary
Holy Cross Hospital established a separate senior emergency center to treat patients 65 and older who are experiencing acute, but not life-threatening health problems. The center has several physical features intended to make seniors' stays more comfortable and safe, such as separate rooms, thicker mattresses, special lighting, reduced-glare floors, and a blanket warmer. In addition, all staff have received specialized training in geriatrics, enabling them to provide enhanced care tailored to seniors' needs. A geriatric social worker follows up with high-risk patients within 24 hours of discharge, while an administrative assistant conducts additional followup with all patients a few days after release. Patients treated at the senior emergency center report high levels of satisfaction with their treatment. The center has increased the number of patients identified as taking inappropriate medication or medication doses, and has also experienced an increased volume of patients and low rates of return visits to the emergency department.
Evidence Rating
Suggestive: The evidence consists of post-implementation results from patient satisfaction surveys, along with data on the percentage of patients who were taking an inappropriate medication or medication dose, treated in the senior emergency center, and returned to the emergency department after an initial visit.
Developing Organizations
Holy Cross Hospital
Silver Spring, MD
Date First Implemented
2008
November
Patient Population
Age > Senior adult (65-79 years); Aged adult (80+ years); Vulnerable Populations > Frail elderly
Original publication: April 14, 2010.
Last updated: April 14, 2010.
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