title: Current provision of care for older persons in A & E units in the UK.
abstract: This study investigates the state of care for older persons within Accident and Emergency (A & E) units in the UK. As the proportion of older persons in the population continues to inexorably increase, A & E units will be expected to cope with a greater number of older people than ever before. Are they prepared for this increase, and do they possess the skills, knowledge and environment to care adequately for older people and the many special problems they present? One hundred A & E units were surveyed by a postal questionnaire consisting of a benchmark of best practice deemed by literature search and expert opinion to be important in caring for older persons in A & E. The data produced gives an overall picture of the current provision of care for older persons in A & E units, and indicates to fellow A & E nursing professionals where current performance may be improved.
authors.affiliation: A & E Unit, Royal Bolton Hospital, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Howe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management