UNC REX is First Hospital in Wake County to Earn Geriatric Emergency Distinction
New Accreditation reflects high standards of emergency care provided for older adults
RALEIGH, N.C. – Aug. 28, 2019 – UNC REX Healthcare is the first hospital in Wake County to receive a new Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation, which recognizes excellent care provided for older adults.
UNC REX earned a Level 3 “Bronze” accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians, through a program supported by The Gary and May West Institute and John A. Hartford Foundation.
The recognition reflects UNC REX’s commitment to offering geriatric-friendly care and equipment, incorporating best practices for staff training and education, and ensuring patients receive routine screening for delirium, dementia and fall risk, among other vulnerabilities. Emergency providers at UNC REX also have added extra precautions to avoid medication issues among elderly patients.
“This achievement could only happen with cooperation of all co-workers in the UNC REX Emergency Department,” said UNC REX president Steve Burriss. “It reinforces the high standards of compassionate care our team provides to all our patients and their families, especially older adults from across Eastern North Carolina.”
The American College of Emergency Physicians started the accreditation program in 2018 to improve emergency care for older adults. UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus became the first geriatrics-certified hospital in North Carolina last fall. Learn more about the program at www.acep.org/geda/.
UNC REX’s Emergency Department provided care for more than 65,000 patients in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The leading causes for visits included chest pain, abdominal pain, stroke and various traumatic injuries. Learn more about the UNC REX Emergency Department here.
