Premier Health Earns System Reaccreditation for Geriatric Emergency Departments

Premier Health has again been awarded a system-wide Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). This distinction recognizes emergency departments that provide excellent care for older adults. The health system previously achieved this accreditation in 2020 and was the first system in Ohio and the second in the nation to do so.

The bronze standard Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation applies to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown; Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton; Miami Valley Hospital Austin Boulevard Emergency Center in Miamisburg; Miami Valley Hospital Jamestown Emergency Center; Miami Valley Hospital North in Englewood; Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville; Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy; and now also includes Miami Valley Hospital Beavercreek Emergency Center, which opened in 2022.

The accreditation process included a panel review by a team of ACEP-appointed physician reviewers and a board of governors’ review.

The voluntary GEDA program, whose three levels are similar to trauma center designations, provides specific criteria and goals for emergency clinicians and administrators. The GEDA guidelines create criteria for staffing, equipment, education, policies and procedures, follow-up care, and performance improvement measures. When implemented collectively, a geriatric ED can expect improvements in patient care, customer service, and staff satisfaction.

The Level 3 GEDA bronze distinction identifies those emergency departments with one or more specific initiatives that are reasonably expected to elevate the level of care for senior citizens. 

Back to the November 2023 issue of Premier Pulse