LO77: Compliance of older emergency department patients to community-based specialized geriatric services

Introduction: The Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) model has been developed to facilitate identification of older patients that are at higher risk of functional decline, repeat Emergency Department (ED) visits and future hospitalization. Those identified at risk, are referred for more in-depth evaluation and management in community-based specialized geriatric services. Our objective was to: 1) determine the compliance rate to outpatient evaluation following ED recommendation; and 2) identify barriers and facilitators to attendance. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study at two sites of an academic, tertiary level hospital ED between July and December 2016. We enrolled a convenience sample of ED patients, 65 years and older who were seen by a GEM nurse, referred to outpatient specialized geriatric services and consented to study participation. The GEM nurses conducted targeted geriatric assessments, identifying those who would benefit from further community management. We conducted a chart review and a structured telephone follow-up at 6 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: A total of 101 patients were prospectively enrolled, with 30.4% of eligible participants declining outpatient referral. Enrolled subjects had a mean age of 83.3 years, 58.4% female and 62.0% cognitively impaired. Reasons for referral to specialized geriatric services included: mobility (86.1%), cognition (57.4%), pain (38.6%), mood (34.7%), medication management (33.6%) and nutrition (30.7%). Outpatient referrals were to: geriatric day hospital (51.5%), geriatric outreach (22.7%), falls clinic (11.8%) and geriatric psychiatry (9.9%). Compliance with follow-up within 6 weeks was 64.4%. Barriers to attendance included: patient did not feel specialized geriatric services was needed (52.6%); admitted to hospital (10.5%); reported not called for appointment (15.8%); forgot appointment (5.3%) and transportation (5.3%). Family support with scheduling and transportation to appointments, reported by 68.6%, was the most common enabler to compliance. Conclusion: Over one third of older ED patients referred by GEM for further specialized geriatric services are non-compliant with their community-based evaluation, while one in four older ED patients decline referral to these evaluations while in the ED. Future work should focus on interventions that promote increased referral acceptance and address barriers to attendance.

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Adherence of older emergency department patients to community-based specialized geriatric services

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2019.376 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 659-666

Author(s):

Zachary MacDonald ◽

Ian G. Stiell ◽

Ioanna Genovezos ◽

Debra Eagles

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Patient Adherence ◽

Cognitively Impaired ◽

Study Participation ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Home Based ◽

Included Patient ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Future Work

ABSTRACTObjectivesOur objective was to determine emergency department (ED) patient adherence to outpatient specialized geriatric services (SGS) following ED evaluation by the geriatric emergency management (GEM) nurse, and identify barriers and facilitators to attendance.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study at two academic EDs between July and December 2016, enrolling a convenience sample of patients ≥ 65 years, seen by a GEM nurse, referred to outpatient SGS, and consented to study participation. We completed a chart review and a structured telephone follow-up at 6 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsWe enrolled 103/285 eligible patients (86 eligible but not enrolled, 86 declined specialized geriatric referrals, and 10 declined study participation). Patients were mean age of 83.1 years, 59.2% female, and 73.2% cognitively impaired. Reasons for referral included mobility (86.4%), cognition (56.3%), pain (38.8%), mood (35.0%), medications (33.0%), and nutrition (31.1%). Referrals were to Geriatric Day Hospital (GDH) programs (50.5%), geriatric outreach (26.2%), falls clinic (12.6%), and geriatric psychiatry (8.7%). Adherence with follow-up was 59.2%. Barriers to attendance included patient did not feel SGS were needed (52.1%), inability to recall GEM consultation (53.4%), and dependence on family for transportation (72.6%). Home-based assessments had the highest adherence (81.5%).ConclusionAdherence of older ED patients referred by the GEM team to SGS is suboptimal, and a large proportion of patients decline these referrals in the ED. Future work should examine the efficacy of home-based assessments in a larger confirmatory setting and focus on interventions to increase referral acceptance and address barriers to attendance.

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Management of Discharged Emergency Department Patients with a Primary Diagnosis of Hypertension: A Multicentre Study

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2015.36 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 523-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dennis D. Cho ◽

Peter C. Austin ◽

Clare L. Atzema

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Primary Diagnosis ◽

Emergency Physicians ◽

Physician Characteristics ◽

Included Patient ◽

Follow Up Care ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Certification Type

AbstractIntroductionMany patients are seen in the emergency department (ED) for hypertension, and the numbers will likely increase in the future. Given limited evidence to guide the management of such patients, the practice of one’s peers provides a de facto standard.MethodsA survey was distributed to emergency physicians during academic rounds at three community and four tertiary EDs. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants who had a blood pressure (BP) threshold at which they would offer a new antihypertensive prescription to patients they were sending home from the ED. Secondary outcomes included patient- and provider-level factors associated with initiating an antihypertensive based on clinical vignettes of a 69-year-old man with two levels of hypertension (160/100 vs 200/110 mm Hg), as well as the recommended number of days after which to follow up with a primary care provider following ED discharge.ResultsAll 81 surveys were completed (100%). Half (51.9%; 95% CI 40.5-63.1) of participants indicated that they had a systolic BP threshold for initiating an antihypertensive, and 55.6% (95% CI 44.1-66.6) had a diastolic threshold: mean systolic threshold was 199 mm Hg (SD 19) while diastolic was 111 mm Hg (SD 8). A higher BP (OR 12.9; 95% CI 7.5-22.2) and more patient comorbidities (OR 3.0; 95% CI 2.1-4.3) were associated with offering an antihypertensive prescription, while physician years of practice, certification type, and hospital type were not. Participants recommended follow-up care within a median 7.0 and 3.0 days for the patient with lower and higher BP levels, respectively.ConclusionsHalf of surveyed emergency physicians report having a BP threshold to start an antihypertensive; BP levels and number of patient comorbidities were associated with a modification of the decision, while physician characteristics were not. Most physicians recommended follow-up care within seven days of ED discharge.

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Functional Decline in Emergency Department Patients with Dyspnea; a Register-Based Cohort

International Journal for Quality in Health Care ◽

10.1093/intqhc/mzab047 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Karoline Stentoft Rybjerg Larsen ◽

Marianne Lisby ◽

Hans Kirkegaard ◽

Annemette Krintel Petersen

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Electronic Patient Record ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Record Data ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

One Year ◽

Historic Cohort

Abstract Background Functional decline is associated with frequent hospital admissions and elevated risk of death. Presumably patients acutely admitted to hospital with dyspnea have a high risk of functional decline. The aim of this study was to describe patient characteristics, hospital trajectory, and use of physiotherapy services of dyspneic patients in an emergency department. Furthermore, to compare readmission and death among patients with and without a functional decline, and to identify predictors of functional decline. Methods Historic cohort study of patients admitted to a Danish Emergency Department using prospectively collected electronic patient record data from a Business Intelligence Registry of the Central Denmark Region. The study included adult patients that due to dyspnea in 2015 were treated at the emergency department (ED). The main outcome measures were readmission, death, and functional decline. Results In total 2,048 dyspneic emergency treatments were registered. Within 30 days after discharge 20% was readmitted and 3.9% had died. Patients with functional decline had a higher rate of 30-day readmission (31.2% vs. 19.1%, p<0.001) and mortality (9.3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.009) as well as mortality within one year (36.1% vs. 13.4%, p<0.001). Predictors of functional decline were age ≥60 years and hospital stay ≥6 days. Conclusion Patients suffering from acute dyspnea are seen at the ED at all hours. In total one in five patients were readmitted and 3.9% died within 30 days. Patients with a functional decline at discharge seems to be particularly vulnerable.

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Availability of mobile phones for discharge follow-up of pediatric Emergency Department patients in western Kenya

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.790 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. e790 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Darlene R. House ◽

Philip Cheptinga ◽

Daniel E. Rusyniak

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Pediatric Emergency Department ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Emergency Department Patients

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Community-based aftercare following an emergency department presentation for attempted suicide or high risk for suicide: study protocol for a non-randomised controlled trial

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7751-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vida V. Bliokas ◽

Alex R. Hains ◽

Jonathan A. Allan ◽

Luise Lago ◽

Rebecca Sng

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

High Risk ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Hospital Emergency Department ◽

Hospital Emergency ◽

Community Based ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Suicide is a major public health issue worldwide. Those who have made a recent suicide attempt are at high risk for dying by suicide in the future, particularly during the period immediately following departure from a hospital emergency department. As such the transition from hospital-based care to the community is an important area of focus in the attempt to reduce suicide rates. There is a need for evaluation studies to test the effectiveness of interventions directed to this stage (termed ‘aftercare’ interventions). Methods A controlled non-randomised two group (intervention vs treatment-as-usual control) design, using an intention-to-treat model, will evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention aftercare intervention providing follow-up after presentations to a hospital emergency department as a result of a suicide attempt or high risk for suicide. The intervention is a community-based service, utilising two meetings with a mental health clinician and follow-up contacts by peer workers via a combination of face-to-face and telephone for four weeks, with the option of extension to 12 weeks. Seventy-five participants of the intervention service will be recruited to the study and compared to 1265 treatment-as-usual controls. The primary hypotheses are that over 12 months, those who participate in the aftercare follow-up intervention are less likely than controls to present to a hospital emergency department for a repeat suicide attempt or because of high risk for suicide, will have fewer re-presentations during this period and will have lower all-cause mortality. As a secondary aim, the impact of the intervention on suicide risk factors for those who participate in the service will be evaluated using pre- and post-intervention repeated measures of depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, belongingness, burdensomeness, and psychological distress. Enrolments into the study commenced on 1 November 2017 and are anticipated to cease in November 2019. Discussion The study aims to contribute to the understanding of effective interventions for individuals who have presented to a hospital emergency department as a result of a suicide attempt or at high risk for suicide and provide evidence in relation to interventions that incorporate peer-workers. Trial registration ACTRN12618001701213. Registered on 16 October 2018. Retrospectively registered.

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Implementing a Diversion Clinic To Treat Lower-Acuity Emergency Department Patients and Provide Follow-Up Care

Annals of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.07.107 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. S102-S103

Author(s):

J.M. Lansburg ◽

P. Roque ◽

P. Debartolo ◽

N. Anand

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Follow Up Care ◽

Emergency Department Patients

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Demographic Analysis of Emergency Department Patients at the Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai

Emergency Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2011/748274 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wim Lammers ◽

Willem Folmer ◽

Esther M. M. Van Lieshout ◽

Terry Mulligan ◽

Jan C. Christiaanse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

General Surgeon ◽

Demographic Analysis ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Specific Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Insight Into

Emergency medicine is an upcoming discipline that is still under development in many countries. Therefore, it is important to gain insight into the organization and patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to provide an epidemiological description of complaints and referrals of the patients visiting the ED of the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China. A questionnaire was developed and completed for a convenience sample of all patients presenting to the Triage Desk of the ED. The study was performed in June 2008. A total of 2183 questionnaires were completed. The most common complaints were fever (15%), stomach/abdominal pain (15%), vertigo/dizziness (11%), and cough (10%). Following triage, patients were predominantly referred to an internist (41%), neurologist (14%), pulmonologist (11%), or general surgeon (9%). This study provides a better understanding of the reason for the ED visit and the triage system at the ED of the Ruijin Hospital. The results can be used in order to improve facilities appropriate for the specific population in the ED.

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