Delray Medical Center, a member of the Palm Beach Health Network, has received Level 3 (Bronze) accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) through its Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program. This designation recognizes the hospital’s efforts to deliver specialized emergency care tailored to older adults in South Florida.
The GEDA program, established by ACEP with support from the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and The John A. Hartford Foundation, assesses emergency departments on their ability to address the specific needs of seniors. Criteria include staffing with geriatric-trained professionals, adoption of geriatric-focused policies, and ongoing quality improvement measures.
“At Delray Medical Center, we understand that caring for older adults requires specialized expertise and a compassionate approach that takes into account the complexity of aging,” said Heather Havericak, Chief Executive Officer of Delray Medical Center. “Earning this Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation reflects our team’s dedication to ensuring that every patient, especially our seniors, receives the highest level of care and support when they need it most.”
The GEDA program aims to standardize emergency care for older adults by improving transitions of care, increasing staff training in geriatrics, creating environments suitable for seniors, and enhancing coordination with outpatient and community resources.
Level 3 (Bronze) accreditation means Delray Medical Center has both a physician and nurse with geriatric training on staff, follows geriatric-specific protocols, and maintains a continuous process for quality improvement in senior care.
By earning this accreditation, Delray Medical Center joins a limited number of hospitals nationwide recognized for their commitment to improving emergency care for the growing population of older adults.
Delray Medical Center is a 536-bed acute care hospital that has served southern Palm Beach County for over four decades. It offers a range of specialized services including cardiac and vascular care, orthopedics, neurosciences, emergency medicine, weight-loss surgery, and is a state-designated Level I Trauma Center. The hospital also operates Pinecrest Rehabilitation and Outpatient Hospital, the only state-designated brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation program in the county, as well as Fair Oaks Pavilion, a 53-bed adult psychiatry unit.
More information about the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation can be found at www.acep.org/geda. Details about Delray Medical Center’s geriatric emergency services are available at www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.
