Skip to site content
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA)

Elderly woman in a wheelchair

The IHS Division of Nursing Services and the Alzheimer's Program are working together to expand geriatric emergency department (ED) accreditation in IHS and tribal facilities. The Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) Program is governed by the American College of Emergency Physicians. It aims to improve emergency care for older adults, particularly American Indian and Alaska Native elders.

The GEDA Program offers three levels of accreditation, with increasing requirements to meet the highest standards of elder care in EDs. Accreditation criteria were established through a joint effort among:

GEDA incorporates the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Health Systems. The 4Ms are:

  • What Matters: Aligning care with outcome goals and care preferences
  • Medication: Using age-friendly medication
  • Mentation: Preventing, identifying, treating, and managing dementia
  • Mobility: Addressing patients moving safely to maintain daily function

Adopting GEDA in IHS and tribal EDs signals a commitment to excellence and elevating the quality of care for elders in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

What is a Geriatric ED?

A geriatric ED can be a separate space for older adults or an existing ED that incorporates best practices for elder care.

Key features include:

  • Specialized champions (MD/DO, RN) leading elder care efforts.
  • Staff training on treating elder patients.
  • Screening for high-risk conditions in elders.
  • Enhanced care protocols for elders.
  • A team focused on elder care, including nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and therapists.

Why have Geriatric EDs?

Geriatric EDs are important for various reasons:

  • The American Indian and Alaska Native elder population (65+) will triple in 30 years, with the 85+ group growing even faster.
  • American Indian and Alaska Native elders face high emergency visit rates, often leading to preventable hospital stays.
  • Geriatric EDs reduce hospitalizations, improve outcomes, and provide specialized elder care.

Accreditation Success

Elderly woman in an ER hospital bed

Thanks to philanthropic funding, IHS assisted nine EDs in receiving geriatric accreditation in the first two years.

With training, technical help, and peer learning support, seven IHS and two tribal facilities earned Bronze – Level 3 geriatric ED accreditation:

These facilities focused on key areas such as:

  • Falls prevention.
  • Medication and reconciliation.
  • Depression and suicide screening.
  • Geriatric trauma care.

Read about San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation's accreditation experience in the Alzheimer's Program newsletter.Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

For more information or questions, email: Ardith Aspaas.