PB # 26 … Update on GEAR 2.0 Federal Grant Project re Care of Dementia Patients in Hospital Emergency Departments … 3/22/22

This project, described in PB #18, is well underway.  The mission of the Geriatric Emergency care Applied Research (GEAR) network is to improve the emergency care of older adults and those with dementia and other cognitive impairments.” ¹

Meeting frequently during the past 2 years via zoom, GEAR 2.0 participants have worked in 4 domain groups to identify priorities in Emergency Department (ED) settings. These 4 domain groups are:

• Best practices and the delivery of emergency care for persons with dementia in the ED setting.
• Care transitions for persons with dementia in the ED setting.
• Communication and shared decision making for persons with dementia in the ED setting.
• Detection and recognition of dementia and cognitive impairment in the ED setting. ²

Each domain group identified priorities that led to key research questions for further investigation.  An example of domain questions deemed most important to investigate further are …

In the Best Practices domain …What components of emergency department care improve patient-centered outcomes for persons with dementia? 

In the Transitions domain … What measures of quality ED discharge transitions are important to varying groups of ED patients with impaired cognition and their care partners?     

In the Communication domain … How does “communication and decision making” differ for persons with dementia compared to persons without dementia?

In the Detection domain … How can the ED best identify cognitive impairment?  Are there differences by race or ethnicity?

The current phase of this project involves awarding competitive grants supporting research to find answers to these and our other priority questions that will lead to improved care of people with dementia in hospital Emergency Department settings. ³

Four articles, one coordinated by the chair of each domain group, are now undergoing a peer reviewed medical journal submission process to “get the word out,” so to speak, on these important questions.  We want to encourage the specific research necessary to help find answers to these important questions so the ED experience can be a more effective and more positive experience for those with dementia.

Readers who wish to become more familiar with the aims and objectives of this NIH/NIA funded GEAR grant project, to eventually read these articles when published, or to learn more about the grant application process, should consult the gear network website. 

1.  Access at gearnetwork.org

2.  Access at https://gearnetwork.org/2021/07/21/cognitive-impairment-dementia/

3.  Access at https://gearnetwork.org/about-gear-2/