Emergency departments for the elderly offer the comforts of home

The New York Times reports a growing trend toward designing hospital emergency rooms that cater to the specific needs of baby boomers and their parents.


The New York Times reports that "geriatric emergency departments" are in vogue in various parts of the United States. A growing trend, the newspaper reports, toward catering to "the medical needs and sensibilities of aging baby boomers and their parents."

According to the article, there is a strong financial incentive to cater healthcare to the elderly. People over 65 represent 15 to 20 percent of emergency room visits.

Similarly, under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare payments will be tied to scores on patient satisfaction surveys — and how frequently patients have to be readmitted to a hospital.

One geriatric ER discussed in the article resembles a clinic more than it does an emergency room. Nonskid floors, rails along the wall, reclining chairs for patients and thicker mattresses to reduce bedsores are all part of the interior design package. Also, to keep the noise down, curtain rings and rods surrounding the beds are made of plastic instead of metal.

Read the full story. 



January 9, 2013


Topic Area: Construction and Design , Industry News , Interior Design


Recent Posts

Infection Control is Key to Ongoing Measles Outbreak

Infection control is essential to protecting both patients and staff from contracting measles.


Kaiser Permanente to Open New Parker Medical Offices

It also announced it's in the early stages of planning a rebuild and expansion of its Westminster Medical Offices.


Skanska Completes Renovation for New Sutter Health Care Center

The new facility will provide internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, as well as lab and imaging services.


Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?

Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.


Gun Incident Highlights Need for Security Infrastructure

A man was arrested at Aultman Memorial Hospital after allegedly firing a gun in the ER.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.