Elizabeth J Marsden1, Andrea Taylor2, Marianne Wallis3, Alison Craswell4, Marc Broadbent4, Colleen Johnston-Devin5, Julia Crilly6. 1. Nambour Emergency Department, Sunshine Coast and Hospital Health Service, Hospital Rd, Nambour, QLD 4560, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia. Electronic address: ejm032@student.usc.edu.au. 2. Nambour Emergency Department, Sunshine Coast and Hospital Health Service, Hospital Rd, Nambour, QLD 4560, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia. 3. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Parkwood, QLD 4215, Australia. 4. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia. 5. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity, 90 Goodchap St, Noosaville 4566, Australia. 6. Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Health, 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Parkwood, QLD 4215, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The positive effect of the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) model, on the outcomes of frail older adults, is established. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the structures and processes required for the effective delivery of the GEDI model to assist in its potential translation into emergency departments in Australia and overseas. METHODS: This was a descriptive qualitative study. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with emergency department staff and GEDI doctors and nurses from a regional hospital in Queensland, Australia. An a priori framework guided interview questions and analysis. RESULTS: Structures required for successful model deployment included having an emergency department physician champion and nurses with gerontology experience, adequate funding, and geriatric specific resources. Processes identified as fundamental to the GEDI model included having a targeted approach to assessment, a patient-centred approach to care, and staff with inter-facility, intra-facility and inter-personal communication skills. CONCLUSIONS: The GEDI model addresses the specific care needs of our aging population. For optimal performance of the model, key structures and processes require identification and acknowledgement. Research involving qualitative methodology is vital for successful translation and integration of emergency department models of care. Crown
BACKGROUND: The positive effect of the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) model, on the outcomes of frail older adults, is established. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the structures and processes required for the effective delivery of the GEDI model to assist in its potential translation into emergency departments in Australia and overseas. METHODS: This was a descriptive qualitative study. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with emergency department staff and GEDI doctors and nurses from a regional hospital in Queensland, Australia. An a priori framework guided interview questions and analysis. RESULTS: Structures required for successful model deployment included having an emergency department physician champion and nurses with gerontology experience, adequate funding, and geriatric specific resources. Processes identified as fundamental to the GEDI model included having a targeted approach to assessment, a patient-centred approach to care, and staff with inter-facility, intra-facility and inter-personal communication skills. CONCLUSIONS: The GEDI model addresses the specific care needs of our aging population. For optimal performance of the model, key structures and processes require identification and acknowledgement. Research involving qualitative methodology is vital for successful translation and integration of emergency department models of care. Crown