St. Luke’s Introduces ‘Emergency Room’ for Seniors (Sponsored)

St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem has launched a Senior Emergency Room program to meet the special needs of emergency department patients who are 75 and older.

“St. Luke’s is committed to helping older adults stay as healthy and independent as possible,” explains Carrie Fleckenstein, Senior Network Director for Senior Care Services. “We recognize that with age come unique challenges and different needs.”

St. Luke’s Senior Emergency Room is not an actual room, but rather a specialized approach providing comprehensive emergency care that is tailored to the specific needs of older adults, and which is delivered by a team of specially-trained doctors, nurses and other experts.

St. Luke’s emergency department nurses with specialized geriatric training evaluate older patients. A risk assessment helps the treatment team determine next steps, such as physical therapy consults for fall risk, pharmacy for medication assessment and comprehensive geriatric consults.

Case management also works with these patients and their caregivers to schedule follow-up appointments and provide other recommendations and resources.

“Our senior-specific processes, procedures and resources are allowing St. Luke’s to improve healthcare outcomes, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations,” Fleckenstein says.

Additionally, the emergency department has been designed and outfitted to meet the needs of older adults. Special features include environmentally friendly, subdued lighting; walls and anti-slip flooring with colors and patterns to enhance depth perception; and handrails to assist with balance and lower beds. There are also volunteers with special carts stocked with comfort items for seniors.

“The goal of the St. Luke’s Senior Emergency Room is to provide specialized care to reduce older adults’ need to be admitted to the hospital, and to give them the resources they need to stay healthy and independent,” Fleckenstein adds.

Note: This story was contributed by St. Luke’s University Health Network. Its publication is part of a health news partnership between Saucon Source and SLUHN.