An approach to the older patient in the emergency department

Authors

Adam Perry
Jonny Macias Tejada, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Don Melady

Recommended Citation

Perry A, Macias tejada J, Melady D. An Approach to the Older Patient in the Emergency Department. Clin Geriatr Med. 2018;34(3):299-311. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2018.03.001.

Affiliations

Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Program, Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center,

Abstract

Older patients in the emergency department (ED) present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The ED clinicians must simultaneously evaluate and treat older adults along multiple domains: cognitive impairment, atypical presentations, functional impairment, medication management, trauma and falls, and end-of-life care. This article reviews these domains and suggests strategies for a more comprehensive, patient-centered ED approach to older patients. Incorporating assessment of these domains into the ED process improves patient outcomes, provider satisfaction, and ED flow.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

30031418