Saint Alphonsus Making a Critical Difference For Seniors

Posted on

Oct 08, 2015

Book/Edition

Idaho - Boise and the Treasure Valley

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In response to the needs of an aging population, Saint Alphonsus Health System opened Senior ERs this past year within all their emergency departments in Boise, Eagle, Nampa (2 locations), Ontario and Baker City.
Saint Alphonsus emergency staff are highly skilled and trained to provide the most advanced medical care for patients of all ages, said Sally Jeffcoat, President and CEO, Saint Alphonsus Health System. As part of our mission to heal body, mind, and spirit we have chosen to seek additional training and education and go even further to address an unmet need for this growing segment of our population. We are proud to be the first in Idaho and Oregon to create Senior ERs.

Saint Alphonsus Senior ERsTM address the special medical needs, preferences and physical comforts of older adults and their caregivers. Beyond the typical ER visit, where staff focus on treating the medical issue at hand, the Senior ERTM goes deeper, assessing and addressing root causes for each visit . The care and attention senior patients receive is intended to make them feel more calm, safe, secure, informed and cared for. And caregivers can have greater peace of mind that staff are looking at their loved ones long-term needs.
To create the Senior ERTM, Saint Alphonsus implemented fundamental changes in culture, physical environment and operations. Each Senior ERTM is run by a specially trained care team focused on providing a better, gentler, more patient-centered experience that produces better patient outcomes.

Emergency Nurses have completed in-depth courses on Geriatric Emergency Nursing Education
Emergency physicians have specialized knowledge in the care of seniors
Pharmacists may review medications that could pose a problem or may have contributed to the patients ER visit
Licensed social workers or case managers may be available to discuss care options and screenings with both the patient and the caregiver
Facility modifications have been made to address the safety, comfort and communication for seniors, and may include:
quieter setting for care
pressure reducing mattresses
hearing and vision aids
large print
appropriate flooring and lighting
Saint Alphonsus has physical variations in each ER. In some locations, seniors will be treated in dedicated Senior ERTM space and in others all patient beds are outfitted for seniors. The Boise ER is currently under construction to expand to better serve the needs of seniors, so the accommodations will change during each phase of construction.

No matter what physical variations you may encounter, all Saint Alphonsus staff have received the additional, specialized training and are committed to offer a similar Senior ERTM experience to all seniors accessing emergency services.
Locations:
Boise 1055 N Curtis Road
Eagle 323 E Riverside Drive (Eagle Road/State Hwy 44)
Nampa 1512 12th Avenue Road
Nampa 4400 E. Flamingo Road (off I-84/Garrity Exit)
Ontario 351 SW Ninth Street
Baker City 3325 Pocahontas Road

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