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Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) Screening Tool in the Emergency Department: Implementation Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act Model and Validation Results

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 40; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jen.2013.08.014

1527-2966

Nana Asomaning, Carla Loftus,

Chronic Disease Management Strategies

To better meet the needs of older adults in the emergency department, Senior Friendly care processes, such as high-risk screening are recommended. The identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) tool is a 6-item validated screening tool for identifying elderly patients at risk of the adverse outcomes post-ED visit. This paper describes the implementation of the tool in the Mount Sinai Hospital emergency department using a Plan-Do-Study-Act model; and demonstrates whether the tool predicts adverse outcomes.An observational study tracked tool implementation. A retrospective chart audit was completed to collect data about elderly ED patients during 2 time periods in 2010 and 2011. Data analysis compared the characteristics of patients with positive and negative screening tool results.The identification of Seniors at Risk tool was completed for 51.6% of eligible patients, with 61.2% of patients having a positive result. Patients with positive screening results were more likely to be over age 79 (P = .003); be admitted to hospital (P < .001); have a longer mean ED length of stay (P < .001). For patients admitted to hospital, those with positive screening results had a longer mean inpatient stay (P = .012).Implementing the Idenfitication of Seniors at Risk tool was challenged by problematic compliance with tool completion. Strategies to address this included tool adaptation; and providing staff with knowledge of ED and inpatient geriatric resources and feedback on completion rates. Positive screening results predicted adverse outcomes in elderly Mount Sinai Hospital ED patients.