1. A physician champion or medical director with some focussed education specifically relevant to the provision of emergency care of older people should be identified by administration.
2. An identified nurse case manager or transitional care nurse or equivalent present in the ED for at least 66 hours/week of coverage with responsibility for complex geriatric patient and responsibility for capacity development/performance improvement within the ED.
3. At least two members of an inter-disciplinary geriatric assessment team should be available to the ED: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, pharmacy.
4. At least one member of the executive/administrative team of the hospital should have, as a part of her portfolio, supervision of the Geriatric ED programme and be actively committed to enhancing geriatric ED care.
5. A patient advisor or patient council should be appointed and be able to provide at least monthly input on potential for quality improvement.

Educating staff physicians about the care of older patients is critically important in a senior-friendly ED. This education can be accomplished in different ways: identified core readings, accredited CME, in-house lectures, self-directed learning activities may all respond to a department’s needs.
Some examples of possible educational activities:

• Geri-EM.com modules for accredited CME;
• The Mount Sinai Toronto Geriatric Review course;
• The Mount Sinai New York Geriatric Review course;
• The University of Iowa Geriatric Lecture Series.

Appropriate education will relate to the eight domains of Geriatric Emergency Medicine as defined by Hogan et al.:

• Atypical presentations of disease
• Trauma including falls
• Cognitive and Behavioural disorders
• Emergency intervention modifications
• Medication management/Polypharmacy
• Transitions of care
• Effect of comorbid conditions/Polymorbidity
• End-of-life care

1. A protocol to older patients at particular risk of functional decline – for example, the use of the Triage Risk Screening Tool;
2. A standardized delirium screening process (examples: DTS; CAM; 4AT, other); See the Mount Sinai Emergency Nursing Care Record.
3. A standardized dementia screening process (Ottawa 3DY; Mini Cog; SIS; Short Blessed Test; other);
4. A standardized assessment of function and functional decline (ISAR; AUA; interRAI Screener; other);
5. A standardized fall assessment protocol (including mobility assessment, e.g. Timed Up and Go or other) (See the Mount Sinai Emergency Nursing Care Record);
6. An approach to identification of elder abuse;
7. A protocol for pain;
8. A protocol for medication reconciliation in conjunction with a pharmacist;
9. A policy to minimize the use of potentially inappropriate medications (Beers’ list, or other hospital-specific strategy);
10. A protocol for accessing palliative care consultation in the ED;
11. A protocol for accessing Geriatric Psychiatry consultation in the ED;
12. At least five order sets for common geriatric ED presentations developed with particular attention to geriatric-appropriate medications and dosing and management plans (e.g. delirium, hip fracture, sepsis, stroke, ACS);
13. A policy to standardize and minimize urinary catheter use;
14. A policy to minimize NPO designation and to promote access to appropriate food and drink;
15. A policy to promote mobility;
16. A standardized discharge protocol for patients discharged home that addresses age-specific communication needs (large-font, lay person’s language, clear follow-up plan, evidence of patient communication);
17. A protocol for PCP notification;
18. A protocol to address transitions of care to residential care;
19. A protocol to minimize use of physical restraints including use of trained companions/sitters;
20. A well-established protocol allowing for further appropriate geriatric assessment not requiring admission (e.g. Hold Overnight Orders);
21. Standardized access to geriatric specific follow-up clinics: comprehensive geriatric assessment clinic, falls clinic, memory clinic, other;
22. A protocol for post-discharge follow up (phone, telemedicine, other) (e.g. reaching out directly to family physicians);
23. Use of volunteer engagement to enhance patient stimulation, mobility, companionship;
24. Access to transportation services for return to residence;
25. A pathway programme providing easy access to short- or long-term rehabilitation services, including inpatient;
26. Access to an outreach programme providing home assessment of function and safety (see the Specialized Geriatric Services Referral Form form Mount Sinai Hospital);
27. Access to an active relationship with community paramedicine follow up services;
28. An outreach programme to residential care homes to enhance quality of care and of ED transfers.

here should be evidence of efforts to ensure effective and appropriate utilization of above policies and protocols using standard QI processes like Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles and outcome measures (see below).

1. Easy in-department access to all of the following:
2. Four-point walkers
3. Canes
4. Non-slip socks
5. Pressure-ulcer reducing mattresses and pillows
6. Blanket warmer
7. Hearing assist devices
8. Bedside commode
9. Condom catheters
10. Low beds
11. Some recline-able arm chairs