Emergency Department presentation of frail older people and interventions for management: Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention

Abstract

As population's age and people live longer, the burden on acute health care services associated with the frail aged increases. Recognising the needs of this cohort as well as designing and evaluating interventions to manage their care in the emergency department has been reported in the literature. Transition to new models of care in emergency departments (ED) focused on improving the care of older people can also assist in reducing length of stay in the ED, reducing complications associated with ED presentation and prevent inappropriate hospitalisation. The Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) aims to build on the successful components of other models of care for older people in acute healthcare settings to improve safety and best meet the needs of both older people and health service providers.