Summary of service changes.
| September 2013 | September 2014 | |
|---|---|---|
| Acute geriatric service | In-reaching model (lone consultant geriatrician) | COPE zone embedded within the EAU with dedicated consultant geriatrician |
| Collaboration with EAU staff | Independent working | Rotation of EAU staff through the COPE zone, including acute medical consultants, junior doctors and nursing staff |
| Patient identification | Referrals from acute physicians | Streamlined into zone from the emergency department based on COPE criteria |
| MDT | Worked independently on case by case basis | Based on COPE zone with twice daily MDT meeting. |
| Links with community services | Nil formal | Direct referral pathway (developed iteratively) |
COPE = comprehensive older person’s evaluation; EAU = emergency assessment unit; MDT = multidisciplinary team.