Premier Health First in Ohio, Second in Nation to Achieve System-Wide Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation

Premier Health is the first health system in Ohio and second in the nation to achieve system-wide Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA). This distinction from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recognizes emergency departments that provide excellent care for older adults

The bronze standard Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation applies to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown (which was accredited in October 2019), Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Miami Valley Hospital Austin Boulevard Emergency Center in Miamisburg, Miami Valley Hospital Jamestown Emergency Center in Jamestown, Miami Valley Hospital North in Englewood, Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville, and Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy.

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, which includes three levels 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 to see 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 in one or more specific areas.

Back to the June 2020 issue of Premier Pulse