Purpose

Despite the rapidly expanding knowledge in the field of Geriatric Emergency Medicine in Europe, widespread implementation of change is still lacking. Many opportunities in everyday clinical care are missed to improve care for this susceptible and growing patient group. The aim was to develop expert clinical recommendations on Geriatric Emergency Medicine to be disseminated across Europe.

Methods

A group of multi-disciplinary experts in the field of Geriatric Emergency Medicine in Europe was assembled. Using a modified Delphi procedure, a prioritized list of topics related to Geriatric Emergency Medicine was created. Next, a multi-disciplinary group of nurses, geriatricians and emergency physicians performed a review of recent guidelines and literature to create recommendations. These recommendations were voted upon by a group of experts and placed on visually attractive posters. The expert group identified the following eight subject areas to develop expert recommendations on: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the Emergency Department (ED), age/frailty adjusted risk stratification, delirium and cognitive impairment, medication reviews in the ED for older adults, family involvement, ED environment, silver trauma, end of life care in the acute setting.

Results

Eight posters with expert clinical recommendations on the most important topics in Geriatric Emergency Medicine are now available through https://posters.geriemeurope.eu/ .

Conclusion

Expert clinical recommendations for Geriatric Emergency Medicine may help to improve care for older patients in the Emergency Department and are ready for dissemination across Europe.

© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Geriatric Medicine Society.

Overview publication

TitleProviding care for older adults in the Emergency Department: expert clinical recommendations from the European Task Force on Geriatric Emergency Medicine.
DateApril 1st, 2022
Issue nameEuropean geriatric medicine
Issue numberv13.2:309-317
DOI10.1007/s41999-021-00578-1
PubMed34738224
AuthorsLucke JA, Mooijaart SP, Heeren P, Singler K, McNamara R, Gilbert T, Nickel CH, Castejon S, Mitchell A, Mezera V, Van der Linden L, Lim SE, Thaur A, Karamercan MA, Blomaard LC, Dundar ZD, Chueng KY, Islam F, de Groot B & Conroy S
KeywordsAcute care, Emergency Medicine, Frailty, Geriatric Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Guidelines
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