3 Takeaways from AFHS:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems follow an essential set of evidence-based practices knows as the 4Ms – What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.
• The 4Ms are practiced as a set, but driven by What Matters. This is a Veteran-centric approach to care.
• The 4Ms are a framework to improve care and they can be applied and customized in any care setting, including the emergency department.

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3 Takeaways for standardizing our GED assessments:

• If starting a new GED initiative, you are highly encouraged to use one of these 7 assessments
• Goal of measuring assessments the same way across VA GEDs
• Goal of a national dashboard that will help your site track performance (a GEDA criteria)

3 Takeaways for Mentation:

• Delirium is missed up to 75% of the time in older adults.
• Consider DTS and bCAM for screening delirium,
• Persons with dementia are at greater risk for delirium, so screening for cognitive impairment is important.

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3 Takeaways for GED Workflow:

• Identifying High Risk Adults whether in triage or bedside
• Develop a process to address positive screens
• Follow up to the recommendations to address the positive screens

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3 Takeaways for Integrating PT and OT in the ED:

• For every screen, make sure you have a plan for a positive
• Reach out to services, talk about possibilities and create that synergy. Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. Be open minded.
• Try to make processes as seamless as possible and as automatic as possible.

3 Takeaways for pharmacy BEERS Medication Review:

• ISAR flags patient’s for a more critical review of medication reconciliation  by ED Pharmacist
• A note to identify BEERs medications, which serves as communication tool for ED pharmacist to relay findings and suggestions to PCP
• Ability to track findings and outcomes to prevent future emergencies and potentially improve QOL

3 Takeaways EQUIPPED:

• Program to help educate provider prescribing
• Program to identify PIMS

Program to help build safe geriatric prescribing menus

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3 takeaways for Caregiver Support:

• VA Has a Caregiver Support Program to help family caregivers of Veterans
• Every VA has a Caregiver Support Coordinator who can provide direct assistance
• There is a National Caregiver Support Line (1-855-260-3274) that can be contacted for additional information

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