Contextual Analysis and Implementation Strategies for an Age-Friendly Emergency Department Uptake: The FRED Study...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Emergency Medicine
• Implementation Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Older adults are frequent emergency department (ED) users.
• A Swiss university hospital implemented age-friendly interventions and achieved Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA).
• Understanding barriers to intervention uptake is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically promote uptake and sustainable re-implementation of an existing age-friendly ED program.
• To assess current age-friendly interventions and identify barriers/facilitators to their reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.
• To develop tailored implementation strategies for re-implementing program elements.

Main Methods:

• Modified implementation mapping in 5 Steps across 2 Phases.
• Phase A involves a mixed-methods contextual analysis (observations, interviews, chart reviews, surveys, Gemba walk).
• Strategies will be developed using the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy.

Main Results:

• This phase focuses on analysis and strategy development, with results pending Phase B.
• Identified barriers and facilitators will inform tailored implementation strategies.
• Co-designed implementation protocol will guide re-implementation.

Conclusions:

• Age-friendly EDs are vital for person-centered emergency care for older adults.
• This study provides adaptable, evidence-informed strategies for sustainable age-friendly interventions.
• Findings will support behavioral change among clinicians in complex ED settings.