Implementation of Multidisciplinary Assessments for Geriatric Patients in an ED Observation Unit

Plain-language summary

This project will implement a 2 step protocol for multidisciplinary geriatric assessment in the Emergency Department (ED). Candidate: Dr. Lauren Southerland is a Geriatric- and Emergency Medicine-trained physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Training: The career development plan will build upon Dr. Southerland's unique fellowship training in Geriatrics with courses in Implementation and Dissemination Science, a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, and Master's in Public Health courses. This combination will position her as an expert in Implementation research, with the career goal of translating validated, effective elements of geriatric care into the daily practice of Emergency Medicine. Mentors: Dr. Southerland has an experienced mentorship team who will provide guidance in the intricacies of emergency research (Dr. Jeffrey Caterino, MD, MPH), implementation strategies and studies of hospital staff and nurses (Dr. Lorraine Mion, PhD), implementation frameworks and reporting (Dr. Christopher Carpenter, an emergency medicine physician at Washington University at St. Louis), and identifying environmental and human factor barriers to quality care. Project: Multidisciplinary assessment by geriatricians, physical therapists, case managers, and pharmacists identifies and addresses underlying geriatric issues in older ED patients. However, only a few EDs across the country have been able to incorporate multidisciplinary care for their older patients, due to barriers such as personnel costs, work flow culture, and the 24 hour ED care model. We developed a two-step protocol to address these barriers: Step 1 is quick, sensitive screens for fall risk (4 Stage Balance Test), delirium (Brief Delirium Triage Screen), and frailty (Identifying Seniors at Risk Score). Patients with concerning results will be placed in an ED Observation Unit for (step 2) multidisciplinary geriatric assessment. In Aim 1 we will use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Lean Six Sigma methods to identify and address residual barriers to full implementation. Aim 2 will evaluate the effectiveness of this protocol in regards to patient-oriented outcomes (functional status and health-related quality of life at 90 days). By using implementation frameworks and processes, we will develop a protocol that is effective, sustainable, and ready for dissemination to EDs across the US.

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