Lakeview Regional introduces senior-friendly emergency services

Improved care for older patients can equal more positive outcomes

Covington, LA — In an effort to meet the needs of older patients on the Northshore, Lakeview Hospital , a campus of Tulane Medical Center, recently made several “senior-friendly” enhancements to its emergency department. Lakeview Regional has provided specialized training for physicians and staff, modified treatment rooms and introduced equipment and amenities specially designed to enhance the overall experience for seniors aged 65 and over.

“We recognize that seniors have unique healthcare needs, and we are pleased to say that seniority is our priority at Lakeview Regional,” said Dr. Charles Muntan, the emergency department’s medical director. “As our community grows and ages, we are here to meet that population’s specific physical, psychological and social needs.”

The entire emergency department team has been specially trained in geriatric medicine to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality senior emergency care, which has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce the need for inpatient admissions. When follow-up care is needed, Lakeview Regional has a comprehensive list of experts within the Northshore community and in collaboration with Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans.

The specially designed exam rooms have been renovated with more safety features for older adults, such as additional railings on the walls and non-skid flooring to prevent falls. Other features such as hearing and visual aids make the visit more comfortable and less intimidating.

The new process of care includes specially trained board-certified emergency medicine physicians that are available 24/7, an innovative balance program, state-of-the-art cardiac monitoring, and an emphasis on direct collaboration with the primary care provider for each patient. In addition to being prepared for common senior health issues, Lakeview Regional is also a certified Level III Trauma Center, with the ability to handle extreme cases of life-threatening and critical injuries.

For more information about Lakeview Regional’s senior-friendly ER, or to see the hospital’s average ER wait time, please visit our Senior Care information online.