We explore the expanding field of Geriatric Emergency Medicine.
Hosts:
Ula Hwang, MD
Brian Gilberti, MD



https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Geriatric_Emergency_Medicine.mp3



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Tags: Geriatric





Show Notes

Key Topics Discussed

Importance and impact of geriatric emergency departments.
Optimizing care strategies for geriatric patients in ED settings.
Practical approaches for non-geriatric-specific EDs.

Challenges in Geriatric Emergency Care

Geriatric patients often present with:

Multiple chronic conditions
Polypharmacy
Functional decline (mobility issues, cognitive impairments, social isolation)



Adapting Clinical Approach

Core objective remains acute issue diagnosis and treatment.
Additional considerations for geriatric patients:

Review and caution with medications to prevent adverse reactions.
Address functional limitations and cognitive impairments.
Emphasize safe discharge and care transitions to prevent unnecessary hospitalization.



Identifying High-Risk Geriatric Patients

Screening tools:

Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR)
Frailty screens


Alignment with the “Age-Friendly Health Systems” initiative focusing on:

Mentation
Mobility
Medications
Patient preferences (what matters most)
Mistreatment (elder abuse awareness)



Minimizing Hospital-Related Harms

Involvement of multidisciplinary teams:

Social workers and care managers for care transitions
Geriatric-certified pharmacists for medication review


Coordination with outpatient services post-discharge

Implementing Geriatric Care in All EDs

Basic geriatric care achievable even in resource-limited or rural EDs.
Level 3 Geriatric ED Accreditation can be achieved through:

Improved care transitions
Staff education enhancements
Age-friendly environments (comfort, nutrition, hydration)



Future of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Vision: Universal integration of geriatric-focused care.
Goals:

Enhanced patient experience
Improved care transitions
Alignment of treatments with patient goals
Broader enhancement of emergency care quality for all patient populations

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