MidState launches New Senior Emergency Care Services
June 13, 2013
With an eye on the health needs of our aging population, MidState Medical Center has launched a new initiative to build a senior-friendly emergency department called Senior Care Emergency Services. MidState launched this initiative on May 25.
Nurses in the emergency department have completed Geriatric Emergency Nursing Education and other members of the team - including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and case managers - have all received senior-specific training to enhance the care that seniors receive.
Additionally, MidState has designed its emergency department with well-being, safety and comfort in mind-and paid attention to details that create a calm, gentle and nurturing environment:
- All modern, individual patient rooms for added privacy and quiet
- Individual televisions and telephones for comfort and convenience
- Thicker mattresses and heated blankets for patients
- Safety features like handrails, softer lighting and non-slip floors
- An activity cart complete with books, puzzles and games for your enjoyment
- Space set aside for private family consultations
- A centrally located nursing station so staff can keep a close eye on every patient
The enhanced assessment tool now being utilized by staff is one of the most important elements of the senior-friendly emergency department. When a patient over 65 years old comes to the emergency department at MidState Medical Center, they are not just treated for the ailment that brought them to the hospital. A multi-disciplinary team also performs an assessment to gauge the patient's status and whether they may have medication issues, be a fall risk or suffer from ailments like dementia and depression. These assessments help gauge whether the person has other cognitive or functional issues that may require follow-up care before the condition worsens.
"Our goal is provide these patients with the services they will need to maintain their independence and overall health and well-being. We are committed to developing individualized care plans that best meet the patient's needs, as well as making follow-up appointments with physicians, reviewing medications, and making any necessary referrals to community resources," said Dr. Alan Weiner, a physician in MidState's emergency department.