Tell Us: How Would You Improve the ER?

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Tell Us: How Would You Improve the ER?

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emergency_room_591The New York Times published an article today called "Emergency Rooms Are No Place for the Elderly." The article references a document called "Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines" created by American College of Emergency Physicians, The American Geriatrics Society, Emergency Nurses Association and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

The organizations recommend changes in emergency rooms to better serve the elderly, including:

  • Geriatric-trained physicians and nurses on staff;

  • Education and training for staff "to ensure high-quality geriatric care";

  • Instructions printed in large fonts.


I'd love to know: What changes would you make so that visits to the emergency room are easier for you and your caree? While the report focuses on accommodating elderly in the ER, let's focus on all carees, regardless of age.

Tell us your recommendations to improve emergency rooms in our comments section, below.

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4 Comments

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Maria

Have staff trained to deal with people who have dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. When I worked in a group home for people with dementia/Alzheimer's Disease I have a resident in the ER and the nurse did NOT understand the disease and demanded that this resident remain in the room and would not listen to me when I told him I could not control his moves and that he didn't understand what was happening.

LisaD

The last time my Dad was in the ER he was having a panic attack. Some of the nurses seem ill equipped to handle that and were less than patient. I think better training on how to deal with anxiety and mental health issues would be a good thing.

Larry

Also consult with specialty care providers (Nephrology, endocrinology, etc.) to be sure their recommendations are right for the patient. (Urgent care doctor had prescribed to high a dose of antibiotics for my mother a dialysis patient but we knew better and got Nephrology involved ourselves.

Larry

Have them be warmer. Every time I have been in one it is like an ice box.