title: Older patients in the emergency department: what are the risks?
abstract: The emergency department (ED) can pose an increased risk for frail older adults. As the number of older adults in the general population grows, so will the number of older adults who seek care in the ED. This article examines the kinds of problems for which older adults visit the ED and the assessments that can be performed to help reduce risks. Geriatric-friendly waiting areas, comprehensive discharge planning, and alternatives to ED visits are explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurocritical Care, Lehman College Nursing Program, Columbia University Medical Center/Lehman College, New York, New York 10032, USA. mrn2114@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Margaret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States