Nurse-led geriatric assessment reduces hospital stays

A comprehensive, nurse-led geriatric assessment in the emergency department decreased hospital stays by 11.6% for older patients without leading to longer ED stays or increasing return visits, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. A total of 1,119 patients older than age 65 who went to an academic medical center’s emergency department between May 2021 and April 2024 and had an emergency severity index score between 2 and 5 received the geriatric assessment, while 1,612 patients received usual care. A nurse practitioner screened for cognitive, functional and social connectedness needs and conducted a medical chart review, a bedside evaluation and outreach to family or primary care providers. (MedScape article, 9/30/25)