Transforming Emergency Care for Seniors

A groundbreaking new approach to assessing older patients in emergency departments is making waves! A study published on August 21 in the *Annals of Emergency Medicine* reveals that a comprehensive assessment can significantly reduce the number of older adults being admitted to hospitals.

Cutting Edge Research at UCSF

Led by Dr. Julia Adler-Milstein and her team from the University of California, San Francisco, this innovative quasi-experimental study focused on the impact of a modified comprehensive geriatric assessment (mCGA). They analyzed 1,119 visits from seniors aged 65 and up who received the mCGA, comparing them to a control group of 1,612 who did not.

Impressive Results: Reduced Admissions!

The findings were striking! Those who underwent the mCGA experienced an 11.6% decrease in hospital admissions. This is a significant step forward in geriatric emergency care, proving that a thorough assessment can allow patients to safely avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

No Downsides Detected

Miraculously, the study revealed no negative side effects. Patients who received the mCGA did not experience longer emergency department stays or an increase in follow-up visits within 72 hours or 30 days after discharge. Dr. Nida F. Degesys, the study's lead author, pointed out, "We were encouraged to see that patients enjoyed the benefits of this intervention without any drawbacks in terms of wait times or further emergency visits."

A Bright Future for Elderly Care