First geriatric emergency care unit in southern California promises specialized care

Prime Healthcare Services announced it will open the first geriatric emergency room and geriatric inpatient unit in Southern California at Encino Hospital Medical Center that stands to provide specialized care for seniors such as more comfortable rooms, teams of specialized nurses and doctors and daily reviews to ensure appropriate care.

“Elderly patients may take multiple medications with potentially negative interactions, or they may have functional and cognitive impairments that complicate treatment. Our new geriatric emergency and inpatient units will address these specific needs in an innovative, groundbreaking way,” Jason Greenspan, MD, director of Encino Hospital’s emergency room, said in a press release.

Sunny Bhatia, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Chief medical officer at Encino Medical Center said the new geriatric rooms are designed to make elderly patients feel safe and comforted with thicker mattresses, nonskid floors, handrails and soothing colors. Patients will receive individual care from geriatric physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, case managers, social workers and dieticians.

The units will have daily reviews to safeguard proper care and establish guidelines for care at home, according to the press release.

The new units launch March 2, 2015 and David H. Stern, MD, medical director of Specialized Ambulatory Geriatric Evaluation Center (S+AGE), will lead the new inpatient center.

“Our new geriatric units are a model that other hospitals can follow to ensure all seniors are given the care they deserve,” Bhatia said in a press release.