Why Geriatric Emergency Departments (GEDs)?
Specialized care for older adults in the geriatric emergency department has positive impacts on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Improved Outcomes & Patient Satisfaction
Research shows that older adults account for a disproportionate number of potentially avoidable hospital admissions from the ED. The introduction of a geriatric ED program is shown to reduce the likelihood of avoidable patient admissions, improve patient satisfaction, reduce ED re-visits, and improve patient outcomes overall.
Financial Impacts
Specialized geriatric care is shown to reduce healthcare costs and prevent hospital admissions in older adults who visit the ED. Targeted interventions such as physical therapy services or dementia screening and intervention are associated with significant reduction in ED re-visit rates among older adults.