Geriatr Gerontol Int
January 2023
Aim: In the present study, we evaluated the triage process particularly for older patients after calls to Emergency Medical Call Centers (ECC), according to the geriatric assessment tool.
Methods: In this observational population-based cross-sectional study in the Rhône (France), we analyzed the audiotapes of all calls received by ECC concerning patients aged ≥75 years, during seven randomly selected days, over a period of 1 year. We analyzed whether information about seven key items, predefined by a panel of experts as essential for quality telephone triage of seniors, was actually collected.
Background: Emergency Departments (ED) have seen an increasing number of older patients who are mostly referred following a call to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Long waiting times in settings, which are not designed to meet older patients' needs, may increase the risk of hospital-acquired complications. Unnecessary visits should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil
June 2022
Unlabelled: Mobile geriatric team making home visit (MGT) were created to reinforce the link between home and hospital. Frail elderly patients can benefit from a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) by a geriatric mobile team during a home visit. MGT at the hospital center of Lyon Sud presents recommendations after a CGA to better adjust healthcare to patients’ needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Dementia with Lewy body (DLB) is a common neurodegenerative disease that warrants specific care, which remains largely underdiagnosed. Our objective was to assess the knowledge of DLB by health professionals in comparison with that of Alzheimer's disease (AD), to better understand the reasons of its under-diagnosis.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive and analytical study processing the results of an online questionnaire submitted to French healthcare professionals between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021.
Background: In France, emergency departments (EDs) are the fastest and most common means for general practitioners (GPs) to cope with the complex issues presented by elderly patients with multiple conditions. EDs are overburdened, and studies show that being treated in EDs can have a damaging effect on the health of elderly patients. Outpatient care or planned hospitalizations are possible solutions if appropriate geriatric medical advice is provided.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To map the referral pathways of elderly people after telephone calls to Emergency Medical Communication Centers (ECC) in France.
Design: Retrospective observational study.
Setting: ECC and Emergency Departments (ED) of the Rhone region in France in 2013.