scholarly journals Using volunteers to improve the experience of older patients in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-518
Author(s):  
Brittany Ellis ◽  
Don Melady ◽  
Nicoda Foster ◽  
Samir Sinha ◽  
Vicki Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Poor Patient ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Collection Form ◽  
Therapeutic Activities

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement in the Emergency Department (MAUVE + ED) program connects specially trained volunteers with older patients whose personal and social needs are not always met within the busy ED environment. The objective of this study was to describe the development and implementation of the MAUVE + ED program.MethodsVolunteers were trained to identify and approach older patients at risk for adverse outcomes, including poor patient experience, and invite such patients to participate in the program. The program is available to all patients >65 years, and those with confusion, patients who were alone, those with mobility issues, and patients with increased length of stay in the ED. Volunteers documented their activities after each patient encounter using a standardized paper-based data collection form.ResultsOver the program's initial 6-month period, the MAUVE + ED volunteers reported a total of 896 encounters with 718 unique patients. The median time (interquartile range [IQR]) a MAUVE volunteer spent with a patient was 10 minutes (IQR = 5, 20), with a range of 1 to 130 minutes. The median number of patients seen per shift was 7 (IQR = 6, 9), with a range of 1 to 16 patients per shift. The most common activities the volunteer assisted with were therapeutic activities/social visits (n = 859; 95.9%), orientation activities (n = 501; 55.9%), and hydration assistance (n = 231; 25.8%). The least common were mobility assistance (n = 36; 4.0%), and vision/hearing assistance (n = 13; 1.5%).ConclusionsPreliminary data suggest the MAUVE + ED volunteers were able to provide additional care to older adults and their families/carers in the ED.

scholarly journals LO58: Using volunteers to improve the experience of older patients in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S28-S29
Author(s):  
B. Ellis ◽  
D. Melady ◽  
N. Foster ◽  
S. Sinha ◽  
V. Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Patients ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Patient Encounter ◽  
Poor Patient ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Collection Form ◽  
Therapeutic Activities ◽  
Volunteer Engagement

Introduction: The Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement in the ED (MAUVE + ED) program connects specially trained volunteers with older patients whose personal and social needs are not always met within the busy ED environment. The objective of this study was to describe the development and implementation of the MAUVE + ED program and the activities performed with older patients by its volunteers. Methods: The MAUVE + ED program was implemented in the ED (annual census 65,000) of a large academic tertiary hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Volunteers were trained to identify and approach older patients and others at greater risk for adverse outcomes, including poor patient experience, in the ED and invite such patients to participate in the program. The program is available to all patients >65 years, and those with confusion, patients who were alone, those with mobility issues, and patients with increased length of stay in the ED. Volunteers documented their activities after each patient encounter using a standardized paper-based data collection form. Results: Over the program's initial 6-month period, the MAUVE + ED volunteers reported a total of 896 encounters with 718 unique patients. The median (IQR) time a MAUVE volunteer spent with a patient was 10 (5, 20) minutes, with a range of 1 to 130 minutes. The median (IQR) number of patients seen per shift was 7 (6, 9), with a range of 1 to 16 patients per shift. The most common activities the volunteer assisted with were therapeutic activities/social visits (n = 859; 95.9%), orientation activities (n = 501; 55.9%), and hydration assistance (n = 231; 25.8%). The least common were mobility assistance (n = 36; 4.0%), and vision/hearing assistance (n = 13; 1.5%). Conclusion: Preliminary data suggest the MAUVE + ED volunteers were able to enrich the experience of older adults and their families/carers in the ED.

scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of the ‘Acutely Presenting Older Patient’ screener in routine emergency department care

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1034-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C Blomaard ◽  
Simon P Mooijaart ◽  
Shanti Bolt ◽  
Jacinta A Lucke ◽  
Jelle de Gelder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Emergency Department Care ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
High Urgency

Abstract Background risk stratification tools for older patients in the emergency department (ED) have rarely been implemented successfully in routine care. Objective to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the ‘Acutely Presenting Older Patient’ (APOP) screener, which identifies older ED patients at the highest risk of adverse outcomes within 2 minutes at presentation. Design and setting 2-month prospective cohort study, after the implementation of the APOP screener in ED routine care in the Leiden University Medical Center. Subjects all consecutive ED patients aged ≥70 years. Methods feasibility of screening was assessed by measuring the screening rate and by identifying patient- and organisation-related determinants of screening completion. Acceptability was assessed by collecting experienced barriers of screening completion from triage-nurses. Results we included 953 patients with a median age of 77 (IQR 72–82) years, of which 560 (59%) patients were screened. Patients had a higher probability of being screened when they had a higher age (OR 1.03 (95%CI 1.01–1.06), P = 0.017). Patients had a lower probability of being screened when they were triaged very urgent (OR 0.55 (0.39–0.78), P = 0.001) or when the number of patients upon arrival was high (OR 0.63 (0.47–0.86), P = 0.003). Experienced barriers of screening completion were patient-related (‘patient was too sick’), organisation-related (‘ED was too busy’) and personnel-related (‘forgot to complete screening’). Conclusion with more than half of all older patients screened, feasibility and acceptability of screening in routine ED care is very promising. To further improve screening completion, solutions are needed for patients who present with high urgency and during ED rush hours.

scholarly journals SPMSQ for risk stratification of older patients in the emergency department

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (S4) ◽  
pp. 222-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Schönstein ◽  
H.-W. Wahl ◽  
H. A. Katus ◽  
A. Bahrmann
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Nursing Home Admission ◽  
Initial Contact

Abstract Background Risk stratification of older patients in the emergency department (ED) is seen as a promising and efficient solution for handling the increase in demand for geriatric emergency medicine. Previously, the predictive validity of commonly used tools for risk stratification, such as the identification of seniors at risk (ISAR), have found only limited evidence in German geriatric patient samples. Given that the adverse outcomes in question, such as rehospitalization, nursing home admission and mortality, are substantially associated with cognitive impairment, the potential of the short portable mental status questionnaire (SPMSQ) as a tool for risk stratification of older ED patients was investigated. Objective To estimate the predictive validity of the SPMSQ for a composite endpoint of adverse events (e.g. rehospitalization, nursing home admission and mortality). Method This was a prospective cohort study with 260 patients aged 70 years and above, recruited in a cardiology ED. Patients with a likely life-expectancy below 24 h were excluded. Follow-up examinations were conducted at 1, 3, 6 and 12 month(s) after recruitment. Results The SPMSQ was found to be a significant predictor of adverse outcomes not at 1 month (area under the curve, AUC 0.55, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.46–0.63) but at 3 months (AUC 0.61, 95% CI 0.54–0.68), 6 months (AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.56–0.70) and 12 months (AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.56–0.70) after initial contact. Conclusion For longer periods of observation the SPMSQ can be a predictor of a composite endpoint of adverse outcomes even when controlled for a range of confounders. Its characteristics, specifically the low sensitivity, make it unsuitable as an accurate risk stratification tool on its own.

scholarly journals Children Who Leave the Emergency Department Without Being Seen: Why Did They Leave and What Would Make Them Stay?

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Sousa ◽  
Cátia Correia ◽  
Rita Valsassina ◽  
Sofia Moeda ◽  
Teresa Paínho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Decision To Leave ◽  
Left Without Being Seen ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Control Study

Introduction: Children who visit emergency departments and leave without being seen represent a multifactorial problem. We aimed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of children who left and of those who did not leave, as well as to evaluate parental reasoning, subsequent use of medical care and patient outcome.Material and Methods: This was a prospective case-control study of a random sample of children who left without being seen and their matched controls from an emergency department during a three-month period. We performed a phone questionnaire to obtain information concerning reasons for leaving, patient outcomes and general feedback.Results: During the study period, 18 200 patients presented to the emergency department, of whom 92 (0.5%) left without being seen. Fifty-five (59.8%) completed the questionnaire and there were 82 controls. The most common reasons for leaving were ‘excessive waiting time’ (92.7%) and ‘problem could wait’ (21.8%). A significantly higher number of patients who left sought further medical care (78.2% vs 11%) but they did not experience higher levels of unfavourable outcomes.Discussion: The waiting time seems to be the major factor that drives the decision to leave. The fact that parents felt safe in leaving and the low level of adverse outcomes highlights the low-acuity nature of the majority of patients who leave.Conclusion: Reducing the waiting times may be the logical strategic mean to decrease the rates of patients who leave without being seen. However, our data seems to indicate that the concerns surrounding clinical outcome after leaving may be partly unwarranted.

Geriatric assessment in frail older patients in the emergency department

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesáreo Fernández-Alonso ◽  
F Javier Martín-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Geriatric Assessment ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Intervention Models ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Geriatric Intervention ◽  
Care Of Elderly

SummaryEmergency care of elderly patients is frequent and complex in the emergency department. Frail older patients have a high risk of poor short-term results following emergency care. There is no practical universal or standardized tool defining frailty. It must be systematically identified in older patients at risk using a screening test, and in those who are positive, a diagnostic scale of frailty or preferably a geriatric scale adapted to emergency care is carried out. An adapted geriatric assessment including brief scales related to clinical, mental, functional and social aspects has been proposed. There are currently no geriatric intervention models with sufficient evidence in frail older patients.

Older Patients' Understanding of Emergency Department Discharge Information and Its Relationship With Adverse Outcomes

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan N. Hastings ◽  
Amanda Barrett ◽  
Morris Weinberger ◽  
Eugene Z. Oddone ◽  
Luna Ragsdale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Emergency Department Discharge

Comparison of different risk stratification rules to predict short-term adverse outcomes after syncope in older Chinese adults 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Mu ◽  
Jiexin Liu ◽  
Hefei Tang ◽  
Cheng Huang ◽  
Limin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Older Chinese

Abstract Background: Older adults with syncope are commonly treated in the emergency department. Clinical decision rules have been developed to assess syncope patients, but there have been no application or comparative studies in older Chinese cohorts until now. This study aimed to compare the values of five existing rules in predicting the short-term adverse outcomes of older patients. Methods: From September 2018 to February 2021, older Chinese patients (≥60 yr) with syncope admitted to our hospital were investigated and evaluated by the Risk Stratification of Syncope in the Emergency Department (ROSE) rule, the San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR), the FAINT rule, the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) and the Boston Syncope Criteria (BSC). After a one-month follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), and negative likelihood ratios (NLR) of each aforementioned rule were calculated and compared. Results: A total of 171 patients, with a mean age of 75.65±8.26 years and 48.54% male, were analysed in the study. Fifty-eight patients were reported to have experienced short-term adverse incidents during the month. The neurally mediated syncope group showed a significant sex-specific difference in adverse incidences but the cardiac syncope group did not. There were some factors associated with significant differences in adverse incidences, such as a history of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, as well as the levels of SpO2, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin T (TnT), while the levels of haemoglobin and creatinine suggested potential significance. In order of the ROSE, SFSR, FAINT, CSRS and BSC rules in the analysis, the sensitivities were 81.03%, 77.59%, 93.10%, 74.14% and 94.83%, the specificities were 86.73%, 84.96%, 38.94%, 60.18% and 56.64%, the NPVs were 89.91%, 88.07%, 91.67%, 81.93% and 95.52%, and the NLRs were 0.22, 0.26, 0.18, 0.43 and 0.09, respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed that the five mentioned rules for syncope risk stratification, with their own characteristics, all showed crucial significance for screening older adults. Therefore, physicians in the emergency department should flexibly understand and judge older patients’ potential risks according to the actual clinical situations.

O-029: Association of impaired cognition and adverse outcomes in older patients presenting to the emergency department; the APOP study

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. S13
Author(s):  
J. Lucke ◽  
J. de Gelder ◽  
B. de Groot ◽  
A.J. Fogteloo ◽  
C. Heringhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Impaired Cognition
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