EMU - A New Model of Emergency Care for the Frail & Elderly
Waitemata DHB and the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI)
An integrated, community emergency service specifically designed for elderly and frail patients, offering acute care as close to home as possible, with rapid comprehensive geriatric assessment and treatment, provision for admission of up to 72 hours, and ‘hospital at home’ nursing for patients sent home to recover.
The EMU presents an innovative patient-centred alternative to acute hospital admission, reducing pressure on ED and inpatient beds.