Geriatric Educational Needs Assessment of Emergency Department Nurses

Abstract

A questionnaire was used to assess practice and knowledge related to the care of the elderly among emergency department nurses and to assess their self-reported educational needs regarding the care of the elderly. Results indicated that substantial proportions of the emergency department nurses surveyed had deficits in the assessment of depression, dementia, falls, and malnutrition in the elderly and demonstrated knowledge deficits regarding myocardial infarction, infection, and urinary incontinencen in the elderly. There were significant correlations between deficits in assessment of mental status and malnutrition and self-reported needs for further education in these areas, and between knowledge deficits and the need for further education in physical assessment of the elderly. This study suggests that emergency room nurses are aware of their need for further education in care of the elderly.