Improving care for our most vulnerable
05 April 2024
Geriatric Emergency Department Inreach (GEDI) is a brand-new program at Lyell McEwin Hospital that is helping to speed up care for older people with geriatric syndromes in our Emergency Departments (EDs).
GEDI comprises a specialist medical team that includes a Geriatrician, Junior Medical Officer, Nurse Consultant and Clinical Nurse. The team works closely with physicians and allied health professionals to ensure the patient is directed to the most suitable services for their needs.
When a patient over 65 presents to Lyell McEwin Hospital’s ED, a member of the team undertakes rapid assessment and screening to identify if the patient needs to be admitted to an inpatient bed or redirected to community-based services such as our Geriatrics in the Home service.
NALHN’s Divisional Director Aged Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care (Medical), Dr Alice Bourke said people aged over 65 now make up about a third of all emergency department presentations for NALHN.
“With demand for aged care rising in northern Adelaide, we are committed to developing specialist programs like GEDI which address the needs of our older population while reducing pressure on our hospital system,” says Alice.
“Hospital is not always the most appropriate setting for patients to receive care. Many of the older patients we see in our EDs do not need an acute bed or treatment but would instead benefit from community-based Support.”
The team recently took time to celebrate caring for its 100th patient and the program’s early success, with results showing up to 40 per cent of GEDI patients are now avoiding a hospital admission.
Pictured: The GEDI team with its 100th patient, Sandra from Pooraka.
GEDI is currently available at Lyell McEwin Hospital with plans to expand the program to Modbury Hospital.