A consensus statement on minimum operational standards for geriatric emergency care in Belgium: a modified Delphi...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Variations in geriatric emergency care exist between emergency departments (EDs).
• Integration of geriatric emergency guidelines has been facultative, leading to inconsistencies.
• There is a need for standardized care for older patients in EDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus on minimum operational standards for Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) care in Belgium.
• To define essential elements for consistent and high-quality care for older adults in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage modified Delphi study was employed.
• An interdisciplinary expert panel of twenty panellists from Belgium participated.
• Online surveys and an expert panel meeting were used to define and agree upon standards.

Main Results:

• A broad consensus was achieved on ten core statements for GED care.
• Specific protocols, materials, and accommodation criteria were defined for conventional (39 standards) and observational (57 standards) EDs.
• Key areas included target population, goals, geriatric practitioner availability, and quality assurance.

Conclusions:

• This study presents a consensus on minimum operational standards for geriatric emergency care in Belgium.
• The findings provide a foundation for potential legislative standards in Belgium and internationally.
• The defined standards apply to both conventional and observational emergency department types.