169 Increased Physical and Occupational Therapy Evaluations in Emergency Department Observation Unit Geriatric Patients After Implementation of a Quality Improvement Tool Does Not Impact Length-of-Stay

Abstract

The Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) process recommends multidisciplinary innovations and quality improvement (QI) in geriatric emergency care. Screening for functional impairment with tools such as the Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) screening tool to identify patients necessitating physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) evaluation and subsequent need for home PT, OT or subacute rehabilitation is one way to improve overall geriatric care. However, these assessments require time and resources for coordination of care.