Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix has recently received Level 3 Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation Program. Banner – University Phoenix is the first entity in the entire Banner system, and in the state of Arizona, to earn this accreditation.
Banner – University Phoenix offers extensive services in its Geriatrics department, including treating memory disorders, osteoporosis, medication related issues, urinary problems, depression and addressing end-of-life care. The facility also offers geriatric inpatient and outpatient programs that follow the principles of the 4Ms of Geriatrics — Mind, Mobility, Medications and Matters Most along with managing Multi-complexity which is considered the 5th element of Geriatric care.
“This accreditation is a critical component to how we care for patients and meet the growing needs of Arizona’s aging population,” said Dr. Nimit Agarwal, MD, FACP, Division of Geriatrics Director at Banner – University Phoenix. “Our clinical team of nurses, physicians and pharmacists, are specialized in geriatrics and understand the unique individualized care for the most optimal outcomes.”
“We are very excited about this achievement, it exemplifies our multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. This was a collaboration of many physicians and service lines,” said Moneesh Bhow, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department and specially thanks Dr. Sumit Agarwal from Banner’s Care Transformation Team and Julie Cobos, nurse director for the ED. He expects this collaboration and the oversight by the American College of Emergency Physicians to elevate the level of care and safety for Banner’s most vulnerable population as there will be a continual focus on education and evaluating opportunities to further improve care.
Receiving this accreditation means Banner – University Phoenix has one or more specific initiatives that are reasonably expected to elevate the level of elder care in one or more specific areas and that they have the personnel to implement such efforts. Other metrics for this honor include having one MD or DO and one registered nurse with evidence of focused education for EM, access to mobility aids (canes and four-point walkers), evidence of a geriatric emergency care initiative and easy access to food and drink 24/7.
Banner – University Phoenix was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top hospitals for geriatrics five years in a row. Ranked in the Top 20 hospitals in the United States, U.S. News reviewed more than1,500 hospitals in geriatrics that see many challenging patients age 75 and older.
Banner emergency room and hospital nurses are involved in continuous education in geriatrics. BUMCP is a NICHE designated facility. NICHE: Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders, is an internationally renowned leadership program championed by Angel Chu-Peterson DNP, a gerontology trained Nurse Practitioner, here at BUMCP. Dr. Agarwal says falls is one of the biggest reasons for older adults losing their independence and the team at BUMCP makes every effort to prevent a future fall by doing a comprehensive evaluation starting from the ED and in the hospital with follow up in the geriatrics clinic. Mobility aids like canes and walkers are provided through the emergency room after thorough evaluation by a physical therapist in the ED prior to discharge. This can increase and sustain their independence in the community while they are getting treatment for their acute medical issues.
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is a large teaching hospital that has provided medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. It is part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. The hospital specializes in heart care, cancer care, high-risk obstetrics, neuroscience and stroke care, organ transplants and emergency care, including a Level 1 trauma center and Arizona’s first certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 28 hospitals in six states. The institution, which has trained thousands of doctors over decades as a teaching hospital, is the academic medical center for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. For more information, visit www.bannerhealth.com/UniversityPhoenix.
