title: Boost outcomes, shave LOS with ED-based intervention.
abstract: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA, has established a Geriatric Fracture Care Program (GFCP) to boost care of geriatric patients who present to the ED with fragility fractures. A primary goal of the program is to get the patients into surgery as quickly as possible because this can significantly improve outcomes and reduce length-of-stay. Key to the GFCP is a geriatric nurse coordinator who works within orthopaedics, but is paged to the ED whenever a geriatric fracture patient comes in for care. The nurse coordinator educates patients and families about what to expect from surgery and what will be required for optimal recovery. Outreach to ED providers is required to let them know about the program, but most providers are pleased to have added resources for their geriatric fracture patients.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D025981:Hip Injuries; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010414:Pennsylvania; D016896:Treatment Outcome