Do Dedicated Geriatric EDs Add Value?

One response to the aging of the “baby boomer” generation has been the creation of dedicated geriatric emergency departments (EDs). Investigators assessed return visit rates before and after the October 2010 opening of a specialized “senior ED” for people aged 65 and older; it was located within the ED of a community hospital in Michigan with 85,000 ED visits per year.

The study found no difference in return visits for any age group — the study's primary outcome. In an evaluation that was not the prespecified goal of the study, the authors also found a 7% lower chance of admission for seniors after the new unit opened.