Enhancing the Emergency Department Experience for Older Adults: Study Protocol for the Implementation of a Comfort Menu and Cart

Launched by HOSPITAL SIRIO-LIBANES · Nov 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on improving the experience of older adults who visit the emergency department (ED) by introducing a "comfort menu and cart." As more people age, it's important to ensure that the services offered in the ED meet their unique needs, especially since older patients often have multiple health issues and may struggle with sensory or cognitive challenges. The study will be conducted at Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo, Brazil, and will assess how this new comfort menu and cart influences the overall experience of patients aged 65 and older, looking at aspects like length of hospital stays, quality of life, and even cognitive performance.

To participate in the study, individuals must be 65 years or older and admitted to a private bed in the ED. They will need to be able to provide consent or have a companion who can help with the process. Participants can expect to share their experiences through interviews and will be followed up after 30 days to see how they are doing. The goal is to create a more supportive environment for older adults in the ED, potentially leading to better outcomes and a more pleasant overall experience.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ED attendance at Hospital Sírio-Libanês (HSL), São Paulo, Brazil.
• • Age ≥ 65 years.
• • Accommodation in a private ED bed, regardless of the indication for hospitalization.
• • Capacity to consent and respond to the interview or the presence of a companion capable of doing so.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Refusal to participate in the study or use the comfort menu and cart.
• • Absence of a companion able to consent to study participation and provide necessary information for patients with altered mental status or cognitive impairment.
• • Decreased level of consciousness.
• • Hemodynamic instability.
• • Acute respiratory failure.
• • Inability to be contacted by phone for the follow-up interview.