Translation of the geriatric emergency department intervention into other emergency departments: a post implementation evaluation of outcomes for older adults

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of older adults with complex health deficits presenting to emergency departments has prompted the development of innovative models of care. One such model designed to reduce poor outcomes associated with acute healthcare, is the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention. This intervention is a nurse-led, physician-championed, Emergency Department intervention that improves the health outcomes for frail older adults in the emergency department. METHODS: This quantitative cohort study aimed to evaluate the healthcare outcomes and costs associated with the implementation of the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI) for adults aged 70 years and over at two hospital sites that implemented the model using the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARHIS) framework. Hospital A was large teaching hospital located in the tropical north of Australia. Hospital B was a medium sized teaching hospital near Brisbane, Queensland Australia. The effect of the intervention was examined in two ways. Outcomes were compared between: 1) all patients in the pre- and post- implementation periods, and 2) patients seen or not seen by the Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention team in the post-implementation period. The outcomes measured were disposition (discharged home, admitted); emergency department length of stay; hospital length of stay; all cause in-hospital mortality within 28 days; time to re-presentation up to 28 days post-discharge; emergency department and in-hospital costs. Survival analyses were used for the primary and secondary outcome variables and a Cox survival model was used to estimate the associations between variables and outcomes. Multiple regression models were used to examine other secondary outcomes whilst controlling for a range of confounders. RESULTS: The Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention was successfully translated into two different emergency departments. Both demonstrated an increased likelihood of discharge, decreased emergency department length of stay, decreased hospital costs for those who were admitted, with an associated reduction in risk of mortality, for adults aged 70 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: The Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention was successfully translated into new sites that adapted the model design. Improvement in healthcare outcomes for older adults presenting to the emergency department was demonstrated, although this was more subtle than in the original model setting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02999-4.