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Emergency Department Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Hughes Jaime M.,
Freiermuth Caroline E.,
ShepherdBanigan Megan,
Ragsdale Luna,
Eucker Stephanie A.,
Goldstein Karen,
Hastings S. Nicole,
Rodriguez Rachel L.,
Fulton Jessica,
Ramos Katherine,
Tabriz Amir Alishahi,
Gordon Adelaide M.,
Gierisch Jennifer M.,
Kosinski Andrzej,
Williams John W.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.15854
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , psychological intervention , cinahl , psycinfo , medline , referral , checklist , geriatrics , falls in older adults , gerontology , intervention (counseling) , family medicine , physical therapy , emergency medicine , poison control , injury prevention , nursing , psychiatry , political science , law , psychology , cognitive psychology
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of emergency department (ED) interventions on clinical, utilization, and care experience outcomes for older adults. DESIGN A conceptual model informed, protocol‐based systematic review. SETTING Emergency Department (ED). PARTICIPANTS Older adults 65 years of age and older. METHODS AND MEASUREMENT Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for English‐language studies published through December 2017. Studies evaluating the use of one or more eligible intervention strategies (discharge planning, case management, medication safety or management, and geriatric EDs including those that cited the 2014 Geriatric ED Guidelines) with adults 65 years of age and older were included. Studies were classified by the number of intervention strategies used (ie, single strategy or multi‐strategy) and key intervention components present (ie, assessment, referral plus follow‐up, and contact both before and after ED discharge [“bridge”]). The effect of ED interventions on clinical (functional status, quality of life [QOL]), patient experience, and utilization (hospitalization, ED return visit) outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 2000 citations were identified; 17 articles describing 15 unique studies (9 randomized and 6 nonrandomized) met eligibility criteria and were included in analyses. ED interventions showed a mixed pattern of effects. Overall, there was a small positive effect of ED interventions on functional status but no effects on QOL, patient experience, hospitalization at or after the initial ED index visit, or ED return visit. CONCLUSION Studies using two or more intervention strategies may be associated with the greatest effects on clinical and utilization outcomes. More comprehensive interventions, defined as those with all three key intervention components present, may be associated with some positive outcomes.