Stony Brook University Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) has received Level One Accreditation for Geriatric Emergency Care by the American College of Emergency Physicians, one of only two hospitals in Suffolk County to achieve this status.
“Adults aged 65 and older represent one of the largest populations seeking emergency care here on Long Island,” said William A. Wertheim, MD, MBA, executive vice president, Stony Brook Medicine. “We are proud of our team’s persistent efforts to provide high-quality geriatric care and promote healthy aging throughout the community.”
“This designation shows Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to preserving the independence and dignity of seniors on Long Island by providing the latest treatments, comprehensive services and improved patient outcomes,” said Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital.
Hospitals earning a Level One Gold accreditation deliver the highest-quality, person-centered care, within the ED and throughout the institution, to older adults in their community, through geriatric-specific initiatives tied to policies, guidelines, procedures, and staffing.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows the senior citizen population is continuing to grow on Long Island. Between 2019 and 2023, an estimated 36.9 percent of total households included one individual who was 65 or older in Suffolk County, an increase of 3.4 percent compared to the five-year period ending 2018. The median age in the county, 42 years, is 10 percent higher than the national average.
Stony Brook’s ED has developed a number of policies, standards and evidence-based practices with an emphasis on delivering age-appropriate care. Some of these initiatives include comprehensive fall assessment and prevention protocols, pain management focused on geriatric-specific pain control measures and alternatives to minimize use of urinary catheters. In addition, the ED promotes access to nutrition 24/7 for older adults, has developed standardized discharge protocols addressing age-specific communication needs and has limited the use of physical restraints by incorporating trained companions/sitters.
The Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University expands the institution’s mission of providing seniors with the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives. In 2023, the Stony Brook Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) was created to develop a better understanding of the biology, physiology, sociology and psychology of aging through research and innovation. Bringing together Stony Brook researchers conducting studies related to aging, the mission of the CHA is to improve methods for earlier interventions so seniors can age in their own homes and with a high quality of life. It also aims to develop new treatments — including potentially utilizing robots — to ensure Long Island’s seniors receive the highest quality care.
Add comment