title: Standardised assessment of older patients by a nurse in an emergency department.
abstract: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a nurse practitioner in geriatrics, working in the emergency department of a tertiary referral hospital, to assess high-risk elderly patients comprehensively. A secondary aim was to explore patient characteristics associated with referral to community aged care services. Of 469 patients assessed by the nurse, 327 (70%) were admitted to the hospital. A comprehensive set of data was obtained for 334 (71%) patients. For 142 patients not admitted, 163 new referrals were made, mostly to the Aged Care Assessment Team. Those referred were more likely to be living alone and non-English speaking. They were also less satisfied with the support they received from family and friends. A single nurse working in a busy emergency department can successfully identify patients with increased care needs, and direct high-risk patients to existing services.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Hospital, Sydney.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Basic
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rowland
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000368:Aged; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000592:standards*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support