Geriatric Assessment in Emergency Departments Can Lower Hospital Admissions

A comprehensive geriatric assessment performed in the emergency department has been shown to significantly decrease hospital admission rates among older adults, according to recent research published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. This assessment, when modified for the needs of elderly patients (mCGA), helps healthcare providers identify specific vulnerabilities and tailor care accordingly.

In a study led by Dr. Julia Adler-Milstein from the University of California, San Francisco, over 2,700 emergency department visits by patients aged 65 and older were analyzed. Of these, 1,119 visits involved patients who received the mCGA, while 1,612 did not. The findings indicated that patients who underwent the assessment were 11.6% less likely to be admitted to the hospital after their ED visit.

Importantly, the study found no negative impact on other aspects of care, such as longer ED stays or higher revisit rates within 72 hours or 30 days after discharge. This suggests that the intervention helps reduce unnecessary hospitalizations without compromising patient safety or increasing healthcare utilization.

Dr. Nida F. Degesys, a co-author of the study, highlighted that this approach allows emergency care teams to provide more mindful and individualized treatment strategies for older patients. "Patients benefit from reduced hospital admissions without experiencing longer stays or more frequent revisits," she stated.

Overall, integrating age-friendly assessments into emergency department protocols offers a promising strategy to optimize care for the aging population while alleviating the strain on hospital resources.

This research underscores the importance of tailoring emergency care to meet the distinct needs of older adults, potentially leading to better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-geriatric-emergency-department-admission.html