SANTA BARBARA — The emergency departments in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Santa Ynez Valley have been reaccredited as Geriatric Emergency Departments by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The three-year Silver Level 2 designation builds on initial accreditation in 2021. Fewer than 130 emergency departments nationwide hold a Level 2 or higher accreditation.
ACEP’s Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation program establishes standards for addressing the needs of adults 65 and older during emergency medical situations. Criteria include geriatric-friendly equipment, social support resources, cognitive health assessment for brain health, mobility assessments, medication management and a focus on patient-centered priorities.
“An emergency department visit for an older patient often brings about significant life changes that require attention beyond treating the immediate illness or injury,” said Dr. Patrick Glynn, an emergency medicine physician at Cottage Health. “Our team works together across specialties to address urgent needs and ensure older patients have the right support to stay safe and well after their visit.”
Approximately one-third of patients seeking emergency care at Cottage are 65 or older. Common age- related concerns include falls, confusion, weakness and complications related to medications. Cottage emergency department teams include physicians, nurses, case managers, social workers, pharmacists, physical therapists and emergency medical technicians. Together, they implement evidence-based practices and pragmatic solutions to address the challenges older adults face during medical emergencies. Emergency department staff collaborate with inpatient, outpatient and emergency medical services partners to help geriatric patients return home safely or transition to higher levels of care when needed.
Cottage Health’s three emergency departments are open 24/7 and located in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley. For more information visit cottagehealth.org/services/emergency-medicine-trauma- services.
About Cottage Health | CottageHealth.org
Cottage Health is a not-for-profit health system providing advanced medical care on California’s Central Coast. In the past year, its hospitals in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley cared for 20,733 inpatient admissions, 91,649 emergency department visits and 2,005 newborn deliveries. With morethan 700 physicians, including specialists typically found only at university medical centers, Cottage offers expert, comprehensive care. As a teaching institution, it trains physicians through residency programs in medical, surgical, pediatric and radiology specialties. Cottage Health is home to the Central Coast’s only Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and an advanced comprehensive stroke center. Its specialty services include Cottage Children’s Medical Center, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, the Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute, Cottage Heart & Vascular Center and Cottage Center for Orthopedics. Beyond its hospitals, Cottage expands care through primary and specialty clinics, urgent care centers and 24/7 provider access via Cottage Virtual Care.