Emergency care and its interfaces: the short-term care for the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: The emergency department is the health care service most used by the elderly in case of acute illness challenging the management of this resource before the increase in life expectancy. Objective: To identify “where” and “how” emergency care to the elderly occurs. Methods: Literature review of models of health services of short- term for the elderly who requested emergency care due to trauma, infection, infarction, exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease, palliative care. The main outcome measures were reductions in: (a) length of stay; (b) hospitalization; (c) costs. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct, covering the period from January 2000 to March 2014. Results: was outlined an overview of services that address the domicile of the individual and hospitals as probable sites of intervention, conducted by qualified professionals to ensure continuity of care. There is a new opportunity to enhance existing services with the Geriatric Emergency Department Guideline. Conclusion: Primary care services are paramount to prevent hospital admissions and follow the elderly after hospitalization, thereby preventing re-admissions.