Site gives free info on geriatric ED care
The next time an older person arrives in your ED with atypical or vague symptoms, an online resource could help you assess that patient.
"ConsultGeriRN is an excellent free resource for emergency nurses," says Linda Scheetz, EdD, RN, FAEN, assistant professor at New York University College of Nursing in New York City. "From triage to fast track, acute care, and observation areas in the ED, this site offers valuable information for all emergency nurses."
The site (www.ConsultGeriRN.org) was created in January 2008 by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at the New York University College of Nursing as an evidence-based authority on the care of older adults.
When caring for an elderly patient with vague symptoms, select the topic "atypical presentation" from the drop-down menu of geriatric topics at the top of the page. "You'll find valuable information on atypical presentation, including risk factors, nonspecific symptoms that could signal a serious illness such as a serious infection, a silent myocardial infarction, malignancy, or acute abdomen, to name a few," says Scheetz.
Scroll down the page for information about possible illnesses your patient might have, and expected outcomes, says Scheetz. Links are provided to the Hartford Institute's "Try This" series of assessment tools, where you'll find resources to screen for problems such as depression and limitations in activities of daily living.
"As emergency department overcrowding worsens and the number of older-person visits increase, ED nurses need up-to-date, easy-to-access information to provide quality care," says Scheetz. "ConsultGeriRN is such a resource." [Editor's note: For more information, contact: Linda Scheetz at (212) 998-5310. E-mail: [email protected].]
The next time an older person arrives in your ED with atypical or vague symptoms, an online resource could help you assess that patient.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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