TY - JOUR
T1 - The elderly in the emergency department
T2 - A critical review of problems and solutions
AU - Salvi, F.
AU - Morichi, V.
AU - Grilli, A.
AU - Giorgi, R.
AU - De Tommaso, G.
AU - Dessì-Fulgheri, P.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - The elderly are an ever increasing population in overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) in many countries. They have multiple health problems and consume more time and resources than younger patients. They are more frequently admitted and experience adverse outcomes after they are discharged from the ED. These frail patients could require specific skills, instruments and organisational models of emergency care in order to look after their complex needs. As such, several approaches have been tried and tested to improve emergency care for them. This article analyses the epidemiological load and problems faced when confronted with elder ED patients. We critically review organisational models, clinical approaches and methodologies in order to reduce ED physicians' difficulties and to improve quality of care and outcomes for elder patients. Triage, clinical assessment and discharge are identified as critical moments during an emergency care process, and interesting and useful instruments are proposed as possible solutions.
AB - The elderly are an ever increasing population in overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) in many countries. They have multiple health problems and consume more time and resources than younger patients. They are more frequently admitted and experience adverse outcomes after they are discharged from the ED. These frail patients could require specific skills, instruments and organisational models of emergency care in order to look after their complex needs. As such, several approaches have been tried and tested to improve emergency care for them. This article analyses the epidemiological load and problems faced when confronted with elder ED patients. We critically review organisational models, clinical approaches and methodologies in order to reduce ED physicians' difficulties and to improve quality of care and outcomes for elder patients. Triage, clinical assessment and discharge are identified as critical moments during an emergency care process, and interesting and useful instruments are proposed as possible solutions.
KW - Aged
KW - Appropriateness
KW - Emergency department
KW - Geriatric assessment
KW - Quality of care
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U2 - 10.1007/s11739-007-0081-3
DO - 10.1007/s11739-007-0081-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 18043874
AN - SCOPUS:37749010664
VL - 2
SP - 292
EP - 301
JO - Internal and Emergency Medicine
JF - Internal and Emergency Medicine
SN - 1828-0447
IS - 4
ER -