title: Standardized screening and assessment of older patients in the emergency department: a survey of implementation in Quebec.
abstract: Cost-effective methods have been developed to help busy emergency department (ED) staff cope with the growing number of older patients, including quick screening and assessment tools to identify those at high risk and note their specific needs. This survey, from a sample of key informants from all EDs (n = 111) in the province of Quebec (participation rate of 88.2%), investigated the implementation of these tools and barriers to implementation. Questionnaires (administered either by telephone or by self-completion) included characteristics of the ED, characteristics of the respondent, use of tools, and method of implementation. Barriers to the implementation of these tools included lack of resources for screening and follow-up, misunderstandings of the difference between screening and assessment tools, and need for adaptation of the tools to the local context. Education of staff and pre-implementation adaptation and testing are needed for successful implementation.
authors: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, St. Mary's Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC. jane.mccusker@mcgill.ca
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: McCusker
authors: Josée
authors: J
authors: Verdon
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Veillette
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Berg
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Emond
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Belzile
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000191:economics; D011792:Quebec; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires