The Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention (GEDI), originating in the Emergency Department of the Nambour Hospital, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS), is a service providing specialist and targeted care for persons aged 75 years and over who present to the ED. The GEDI team consists of a Clinical Nurse Consultant, ED physician and clinical nurses providing ‘front load’ assessment within the ED to prioritise assessment and management of frail older persons. GEDI nurses aim to avoid inappropriate hospital admissions of older persons whilst streamlining their care to the right place, right person at the right time.
GEDI focuses on the frail older person presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) with an acute illness or complex healthcare requirements. Usually this incorporates people of 75 years of age and over. However, frail older persons who are under this age and Indigenous Australians over the age of 55 years, who may have similar levels of frailty, are also screened by the team and may be included in service delivery. The GEDI model is aimed at improving the quality of care for this cohort, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitating early safe discharge.
