Five Aurora Health Care hospitals receive new accreditation for geriatric care
MILWAUKEE – The emergency departments at five Aurora Health Care hospitals earned a new accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) for care the facilities provide to older patients. Eight emergency departments were accredited as part of the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program.
The accreditation is intended to ensure that emergency departments meet the highest level of care available in treating the needs of an aging population. It focuses on six key areas, including staff training, geriatric-appropriate protocols, quality improvement and strong programs to ensure patients are connected to local care needs in the community following discharge.
The program supports Aurora Health Care’s overall population health and community-focused approach to care.
“Our participation in this new program supports Aurora’s mission to help people live well, and we are proud of the work we’ve done the last three years to develop strong programs to serve the needs of aging populations in the communities we serve.” said Dr. Michael Malone, medical director of Aurora Senior Services and Aurora Sinai Medical Center geriatric fellowship director. “Being the first system in the nation with multiple facilities certified is a testament to the team approach to care at our facilities throughout Wisconsin.”
- The Aurora hospitals that received the geriatric care accreditation include:
- Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh
- Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center
- Aurora Sinai Medical Center
- Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore Medical Center
- Aurora West Allis Medical Center
“Older adults visit emergency departments at a higher rate, and they often present with multiple chronic conditions and face more social and physical challenges than the general population,” said Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, president of ACEP. “Seniors who visit ACEP accredited emergency departments can be assured that the facilities have the necessary expertise, equipment and personnel in place to provide optimal care. This initiative will greatly enhance geriatric emergency care, especially in rural areas, and help ease older patients back into their daily lives after an emergency occurs.”
The GEDA program promotes the goals of providing quality care for older adult patients. These include enhanced staffing and education, geriatric-focused policies and protocols, including transitions of care, quality improvement and outcomes and more efficient preparation of the treatment area.
