Stratis Health Podcast Series What Rural Hospitals Can Do to Improve Care for Older Adults
Nov 20, 2024
In this enlightening discussion, Kevin Biese, an expert in emergency and internal medicine from UNC Chapel Hill, and Kristie Foster, a dedicated emergency department nurse manager, share their insights on enhancing care for older adults in rural hospitals. They highlight the unique health challenges faced by seniors and advocate for patient-centered approaches. Key topics include combating isolation, improving emergency care standards, and the critical need for funding and community engagement to elevate health equity in rural settings.
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Improving ED Care for Older Adults
- Emergency departments (EDs) have always treated older adults, so the focus should be on improving their care.
- The current ED system inadequately addresses the complex needs of frail older adults.
A Patient's Story
- Kristie Foster shares a story about an 80-year-old patient who fell and struggled to get timely follow-up care.
- This patient's experience, despite her healthcare background, highlighted the need for better post-ED support.
Actionable Screening Tool
- Kristie Foster developed a social determinants of health screening tool to address care gaps.
- This tool makes screenings actionable, connecting patients with immediate resources like food or transportation.