Geriatric Emergencies in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Geriatric Emergencies in skilled nursing facilities require prompt recognition, coordinated response, and careful post-crisis management to prevent complications and improve outcomes. This chapter addresses the most common acute events seen in elderly residents, including falls, cardiac and respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, sepsis, and sudden changes in mental status. It outlines systematic assessment strategies, emergency stabilization protocols, and communication procedures for interdisciplinary teams. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing subtle presentations of critical illness in older adults and ensuring timely transfer to higher levels of care when needed. This resource equips nursing home staff to respond efficiently and confidently to emergencies, safeguarding the health and dignity of residents.
Resources for Geriatric Emergencies
Geriatric emergencies in skilled nursing facilities demand rapid recognition, coordinated team response, and careful post-event evaluation. The resources below complement the Geriatric Emergencies chapter by offering evidence-based guidelines, training materials, and practical tools for clinicians and facility leaders. They cover emergency protocols, fall management, infection control, cardiac and respiratory response, delirium recognition, and strategies for effective communication and transfer of care. These references help ensure timely, safe, and compassionate management of acute events in elderly residents.
Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American Geriatrics Society (AGS), and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Comprehensive clinical recommendations for assessment, stabilization, and management of older adults in emergency situations. Covers delirium, falls, trauma, medication safety, and communication with long-term care facilities.
https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(14)00118-8/fulltext
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the Emergency Department
Clinical Interventions in Aging (Ellis et al., 2014)
Evidence-based overview of rapid geriatric assessment methods in acute care settings, including how to identify cognitive decline, delirium, falls risk, and polypharmacy issues on first contact.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4257763/
Delirium in Older Persons: Evaluation and Management
American Family Physician (AFP)
Clear clinical guidance for primary and post-acute settings on diagnosing and managing delirium, including medication review, infection workup, and non-pharmacologic strategies.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0801/p150.html
Falls in Older Adults: Risk Assessment and Management
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Practical resource describing causes, prevention strategies, and post-fall assessment steps for healthcare workers caring for frail older adults.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-fractures