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Congratulations to UVA Health University Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED), which has been designated as Level III Geriatric ED Accredited (GEDA) by the American College of Physicians (ACEP). 

Months of Close Collaboration Across Teams

Our GEDA Workgroup has been actively pursuing this three-year accreditation since May 2024, with the official application submitted in November 2025. 

"This effort reflects months of close collaboration and teamwork across multiple interdisciplinary teams,” describes  Jesseca White, MBA, BSN, RN, ACM-RN,  Assistant Manager, Case Management. “It required the implementation of four, geriatric-focused standards of care that directly support and enhance the management of older adults during an ED visit, including reliable access to mobility aids and continuous access to food and beverages for geriatric patients.”

In addition, the ED was required to reduce  fall rates as well as the use of foleys and restraints in this population. Two items were created: a geriatric dashboard for metrics and a geriatric resource cart of items for geriatric patients with dementia or sensory loss. The ED also is piloting consultation with the Geriatrics Consult Service for particular presenting complaints. 

In development: two automated screening tools built by UVA Health — a delirium screen at triage, and screening patients at high risk for return visits with pathways created so patients can get in sooner to see their primary care provider.  

‘Treating the Whole Person — Not Just the Patient’ 

“As a daughter of elderly parents with multiple medical needs including a mother with Alzheimer’s, I know firsthand how difficult an ED visit can be,” shares Dina Hood, MPH, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG CEN, Clinical Nurse Specialist. "The ED can be a chaotic, noisy, and confusing environment in which elderly patients often experience painful procedures and loss of control. Our goal is to treat the whole person — not just the ‘patient’ — taking into account the special needs of this vulnerable population.” 

“I am extremely grateful for the support and collaboration across the hospital system for these efforts,” says M. Kathryn Mutter, MD, MPH, Director of Emergency Department Geriatric Care, UVA Health, and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, UVA School of Medicine. “We are excited about the work we have accomplished, as well as the initiatives under development. We are making meaningful improvements in the care of our older adults.” 

Not Just a Designation — A Framework

“This designation recognizes that our team has met rigorous national standards in the care of older adults in the emergency setting,” says Andrew E. Muck, MD, MBA, Chair and Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, UVA School of Medicine. “It reflects meaningful progress in how we approach geriatric care — from screening and protocols to interdisciplinary coordination and patient-centered practices. Importantly, this is not just a designation, it is a framework that aligns with broader institutional priorities, including the emerging Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Age-Friendly Health System measures and domains of care.” 

He adds: “I want to extend a sincere thank you to the entire team involved, and especially to Kathryn Mutter, Dina Hood, and Jesseca White — whose leadership, persistence, and expertise were instrumental in bringing this across the finish line. Their work not only helped us achieve this milestone, but is already contributing to broader institutional efforts in age-friendly care.” 

'Often the Front Door'

Dr. Muck points out that this matters because older adults represent a growing and high-risk segment of our ED population and GEDA: 

• Ensures we are delivering safer, more tailored, and higher-quality care to these patients. 
• Positions UVA Health as a leader in age-friendly emergency care and strengthens our readiness for future regulatory and quality expectations. 
• Builds a foundation for continued advancement. 

"The Emergency Department is often the front door of the hospital for older adults, and how we care for them in those critical first hours matters enormously,” explains Sarah Wendel, MD, MBA, Medical Director, Emergency Department, UVA Health University Medical Center, and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, UVA School of Medicine. “This accreditation reflects our commitment to ensuring this population's experience is guided by their unique needs. As the demand for specialized geriatric emergency care continues to grow, it underscores the importance of continued investment in this area.” 

Strengthening Our Foundation

“This achievement reflects also our commitment to our guiding principle to provide the highest quality, unparalleled safety, and an exceptional care experience. We are proud to have achieved the first level of GEDA accreditation, which affirms the strong foundation we have built in caring for this often vulnerable population,” says Jermaine Clayborne, MSN, APRN, NEA-BC, CFRN, FP-C, Administrator for Emergency Services, UVA Health University Medical Center. 

He explains that work is already well underway to fully integrate and sustain senior care initiatives into daily operations as we work toward the next level of accreditation. “I couldn’t be more proud of the consistent focus this team brings to improving patient care and outcomes, and of the work they do every day,” hails Clayborne.