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What Geriatric Emergency Departments Do Differently
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Cynthia Tompkins, 75, faced significant health challenges including osteomyelitis, diabetes, and recent personal losses before experiencing severe vomiting that led to an emergency room visit.
- She was admitted to U.C. San Diego Health's emergency department, which has been accredited as a geriatric emergency department since 2022, designed specifically to meet the needs of older patients.
- The geriatric emergency department provided prompt and specialized care, including immediate IV fluids and a comfortable environment to prevent bedsores, improving her experience compared to typical ER visits.
- Studies indicate that geriatric emergency departments can reduce hospital admissions, mortality rates among older adults, and overall healthcare costs.
