title: Geriatric assessment and intervention in an emergency department observation unit reduced re-attendance and hospitalisation rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of geriatric assessment and intervention in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-centre, before/after prospective study. The control group received the usual EDOU care. Intervention group received geriatric assessment and intervention before discharge. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. End-points included falls and functional scores obtained via telephone, and unscheduled ED re-attendance and hospitalisation obtained through electronic records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 172 control and 315 intervention group patients. A total of 71.7% of patients in the intervention group had hidden needs that required intervention. The intervention group had significantly less ED re-attendance (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.71) and hospitalisation rates (adjusted IRR 0.64, 95% CI 0.51-0.79) at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older patients admitted to an EDOU are an at-risk group and benefit from geriatric assessment before discharge.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. chik_loon_foo@ttsh.com.sg
authors.forename: Chik Loon
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.forename: Vivian Wing Yin
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Thai Lian
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Yew Yoong
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Eillyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male