Geriatric ERs Cut Admissions and Deaths for Seniors, Study Finds
Research indicates that accredited geriatric emergency departments lower hospital admission rates and 30-day mortality for older adults while reducing Medicare expenses.
Cynthia Tompkins’ visit to UC San Diego Health’s geriatric emergency department highlights the model’s benefits: she received immediate IV fluids, a quieter room with natural light, and a thorough medication assessment, enabling her discharge the same day. Nationwide, the American College of Emergency Physicians has accredited 624 geriatric emergency departments, ranging from Level 1 to Level 3, and they serve patients of all ages while incorporating senior-friendly protocols.
Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study and Medicare claims for about 4,600 seniors showed a 39% reduction in hospital admissions and a 38% decrease in 30-day mortality for those treated in geriatric ERs, alongside Medicare savings of roughly $3,000 per visit. These units also aim to limit “boarding” delays, which are linked to higher mortality, falls, and infections among older patients. Experts suggest expanding such departments could further improve outcomes and cut costs across the nation’s roughly 5,000 emergency rooms.
Why it matters
Senior-focused ER care can markedly lower deaths, hospital stays, and health-care costs for an aging population.
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