Newswise — Hackensack University Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) has earned recertification of its Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) — the highest-level designation available through the program — from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The department earned its first certification in 2019.
The accreditation signifies Hackensack University Medical Center’s commitment to providing older adults with the highest quality emergency care that meets or exceeds national standards of excellence.
“We are proud to be among only a few centers in the region to earn the prestigious Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation,” said Manisha Parulekar, MD, AGSF, FACP, Division Chief of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center. “To achieve our goal of providing comprehensive care for older adults when they need us most, our ED team has taken steps to implement best practices including geriatric-friendly equipment, interdisciplinary geriatric education, specially trained staff, and routine screening for delirium, dementia, fall risk, and other vulnerabilities.”
“Having equipment and protocols tailored to older adults’ unique needs will enhance our ability to efficiently and effectively deliver emergency treatment,” said Lisa Tank, MD, FACP, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Chief Medical Officer, North Region, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our clinicians also participate in extensive, specialized training that allows them to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to implement protocols that promote safety and quality for older adults.”
“Hackensack University Medical Center is a regional hub for high-quality emergency care,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, President and Chief Hospital Executive, Hackensack University Medical Center, and President, North Region, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our GEDA recertification is a testament to our commitment to providing outstanding care for seniors in the communities we serve, as well as our ability to deliver complete care for older adults who are facing a life-threatening emergency.”
“Our Emergency Department is nationally recognized for the life-saving care our team members provide every day,” said Joseph Underwood, MD, MHCDS, FACEP, Chair of Emergency Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center. “But in addition to saving lives, we also aim to address the unique needs of various patient populations - including seniors. This accreditation shows that we are continually looking for new ways to improve the overall well-being of every senior who is in our care.”
ABOUT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Hackensack University Medical Center, a 803-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital, was Bergen County’s first hospital founded in 1888. It was also the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet®-recognized hospital for nursing excellence, receiving its sixth consecutive designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The academic flagship of the Hackensack Meridian Health network, Hackensack University Medical Center is Nationally-Ranked by U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 in four specialties, more than any other hospital in New Jersey. The hospital is home to the state's only nationally-ranked Urology and Neurology & Neurosurgery programs, as well as the best Cardiology & Heart Surgery program. It also offers patients nationally-ranked Orthopedic care and one of the state’s premier Cancer Centers (John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center). Hackensack University Medical Center also ranked as High-Performing in conditions such as Acute Kidney Failure, Heart Attack (AMI), Heart Failure, Pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Diabetes and Stroke. As well as High Performing in procedures like Aortic Valve Surgery, Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG), Colon Cancer Surgery, Lung Cancer Surgery, Prostate Cancer Surgery, Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement. Named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2023 list, Hackensack University Medical Center is also the recipient of the 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ by Healthgrades as well as an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. This award-winning care is provided on a campus that is home to facilities such as the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, ranked #1 in the state and top 20 in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 Best Children’s Hospital Report. Additionally, the children’s nephrology program ranks in the top 50 in the United States. Hackensack University Medical Center is also home to the Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and is listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Our comprehensive clinical research portfolio includes studies focused on precision medicine, translational medicine, immunotherapy, cell therapy, and vaccine development. The hospital has embarked on the largest healthcare expansion project ever approved by the state: Construction of the Helena Theurer Pavilion, a 530,000-sq.-ft., nine-story building, which began in 2019. A $714.2 million endeavor, the pavilion is one the largest healthcare capital projects in New Jersey and will house 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms with intraoperative MRI capability, 50 ICU beds, and 175 medical/surgical beds including a 50 room Musculoskeletal Institute.
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