Emergency Center
Seniors Emergency Center
Holy Cross Hospital is the first hospital
in the nation to create an emergency room specifically tailored to
serve a growing senior population.
Officially opened in early November 2008,
the new six-bay Holy Cross Hospital Seniors Emergency Center is a
separate, enclosed area of the main Emergency Center that provides safe,
efficient emergency services designed to meet the complex, uncertain needs
of non-acute elderly patients and those who care for them.
During the developmental
phase of this project, Holy Cross Hospital formed an advisory team
of community seniors and worked closely with internationally renowned
eldercare expert Bill H. Thomas, MD, and his team at The Erickson School
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The Holy Cross Hospital Seniors Emergency Center has
a separate entrance just off the main waiting room and, in addition to
the six curtained bays, includes a nursing station designed for increased
visibility, two private patient rooms and a room for private family consultations.
The environment was scientifically designed to reduce anxiety, confusion
and risk of falling. Some of the upgrades include special senior-friendly
lighting, soft colors, noise abatement features, hand rails and special
flooring that reflects light in a way that makes missteps less likely.
The Seniors Emergency Center features thicker mattresses
to help reduce pressure, a blanket warmer, telephones with larger buttons
and special pillow speakers to make listening to music or watching television
more comfortable.
In addition to physicians, the senior care team consists
of staff dedicated to the Seniors Emergency Center including a geriatric
nurse practitioner, registered nurses trained in geriatrics and a geriatric
social worker. All provide high quality, competent and compassionate care
in an environment that mitigates anxiety for the senior and his or her
loved ones.
Before a patient leaves
the Seniors Emergency Center, the team will assess that person’s
physical function, cognitive status, level of risk and then refer them
to the appropriate level of care. This discharge process assures a seamless
transition back to the home or other care setting and substantially lessens
the probability of a return visit for the same health issue.
All patients
will continue to be triaged upon coming to Holy Cross Hospital Emergency
Center; about 75 percent of triaged seniors will meet the criteria
for the Seniors Emergency Center.