Covenant Takes it Up a Notch in Re-Accreditation as a Senior-Friendly Emergency Department

In 2019, Covenant received the Level III Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians. In fall of 2022, the Covenant Emergency Care Center earned a Level II GEDA, a three-year accreditation at the next highest level. 

“Covenant is one of only two hospitals in the State to be accredited as a Level II Geriatric Emergency Department,” says Dr. Risty Kalivas, physician administrator for the Senior Emergency Care initiative at Covenant. “I am incredibly proud of our team for their constant pursuit of high-quality medical care for this vulnerable population; going to the next level for our patients and the community is so important.”

As an Accredited Geriatric Emergency Department, Covenant adheres to a protocol-driven approach to geriatric care to provide superior, tailored care. Seniors who visit the emergency department can be assured that the facility has the necessary expertise, equipment and personnel in place to provide optimal care.

Jill Toporski, Director of the Covenant Emergency Care Center, says, “We’re excited that our dedication to this population has been recognized and look forward to many more years of building the best geriatric emergency department. This accreditation really speaks to our mission of extraordinary care for every generation.”

The population of seniors in the United States has been growing steadily since 2011, which is the year the first Baby Boomers turned 65. Today, individuals 65 and older represent 18.1 percent of Michigan’s population. By 2030 experts estimate that number will swell. Approximately 18 of the Covenant Emergency Care Center’s 65 beds have been designated for elderly patients.

In designing an emergency center to meet the distinct needs of older patients, physicians, nurses, and hospital leaders included best practices such as:

• Board-certified emergency doctors, nurses and residents with specialized training in the care of senior patients. Seniors not only feel comfortable, but also understood.
• Senior-friendly rooms keep patients comfortable while social work support, assessments and goals maximize independence.
• All medications are closely monitored to avoid interactions, and more.