INTEGRATING AN ELDER MISTREATMENT INTERVENTION PROTOCOL INTO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD - Abstract citation ID igaf122.089

Sep 28, 2026

Experiencing mistreatment in later life increases morbidity and mortality risk, with emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalizations occurring more often among abused older adults. Despite routine assessment of trauma and violence injuries, standardized screening for elder mistreatment remains low in emergency departments. A major barrier is the lack of integrated screening and response protocols within electronic health records that shape routine emergency workflows. This presentation describes implementing an evidence-informed elder mistreatment screening and response protocol at a Level III trauma center, reporting screening rate growth from about 2% to 85% for adults 65+ admitted.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Rationale

Low Screening for Elder Mistreatment in Emergency Care

Implementation Approach

Evidence-Informed Screening and Response Protocol

Integration into Electronic Health Records

Outcomes and Challenges

Screening Rate Increase After Implementation

Barriers and Strategies for Successful Adoption

FAQs

Why is emergency department screening important for elder mistreatment?

Elder mistreatment is linked to higher morbidity and mortality, and abused older adults experience emergency department visits and hospitalizations more frequently. Emergency departments therefore offer a critical chance to detect mistreatment and trigger life-saving interventions.

What prevents elder mistreatment screening in emergency departments?

A key barrier is the absence of integrated elder mistreatment screening and response protocols within electronic health records, which otherwise guide routine emergency assessments.

What implementation results were reported after the protocol was integrated?

The presentation reports that elder mistreatment screening rates for adults aged 65 and older admitted to the emergency department rose from about 2% before implementation to 85% afterward.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Sophia Brooks