Journal article
Enhancing healthcare access for an older population: The age‐friendly emergency department
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, Vol.5(3), e13182
05/08/2024
DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13182
PMCID: PMC11079440
PMID: 38726466
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Healthcare systems face significant challenges in meeting the unique needs of older adults, particularly in the acute setting. Age‐friendly healthcare is a comprehensive approach using the 4Ms framework—what matters, medications, mentation, and mobility—to ensure that healthcare settings are responsive to the needs of older patients. The Age‐Friendly Emergency Department (AFED) is a crucial component of a holistic age‐friendly health system. Our objective is to provide an overview of the AFED model, its core principles, and the benefits to older adults and healthcare clinicians. The AFED optimizes the delivery of emergency care by integrating age‐specific considerations into various aspects of (1) ED physical infrastructure, (2) clinical care policies, and (3) care transitions. Physical infrastructure incorporates environmental modifications to enhance patient safety, including adequate lighting, nonslip flooring, and devices for sensory and ambulatory impairment. Clinical care policies address the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of older adults while preserving focus on emergency issues. Care transitions include communication and involving community partners and case management services. The AFED prioritizes collaboration between interdisciplinary team members (ED clinicians, geriatric specialists, nurses, physical/occupational therapists, and social workers). By adopting an age‐friendly approach, EDs have the potential to improve patient‐centered outcomes, reduce adverse events and hospitalizations, and enhance functional recovery. Moreover, healthcare clinicians benefit from the AFED model through increased satisfaction, multidisciplinary support, and enhanced training in geriatric care. Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and clinicians must collaborate to standardize guidelines, address barriers to AFEDs, and promote the adoption of age‐friendly practices in the ED.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Enhancing healthcare access for an older population: The age‐friendly emergency department
- Creators
- Sangil Lee - University of Iowa, Emergency MedicineRachel M. Skains - University of Alabama at BirminghamPhillip D. Magidson - Johns Hopkins MedicineNadine Qadoura - University of IowaShan W. Liu - Massachusetts General HospitalLauren T. Southerland - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, Vol.5(3), e13182
- DOI
- 10.1002/emp2.13182
- PMID
- 38726466
- PMCID
- PMC11079440
- NLM abbreviation
- J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open
- eISSN
- 2688-1152
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- AstraZeneca, Ceribell INC John A. Hartford Foundation National Institute on Aging. Grant Numbers: R33AG058926, R03AG082923, R21AG084218 Emergency Medicine Foundations. Grant Number: GEM2023-0000000008 Stepping Strong Foundation HRSA, Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. Grant Number: 2 U1QHP287310400
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/08/2024
- Academic Unit
- Emergency Medicine; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984624858602771
Metrics
6 Record Views