Nurse-led multidisciplinary initiatives to improve outcomes and reduce hospital admissions for older adults: The Care coordination through Emergency Department, Residential Aged Care and Primary Health Collaboration project

ObjectivesThis article describes the Care coordination through Emergency Department, Residential Aged Care and Primary Health Collaboration (CEDRiC) project. MethodsCEDRiC is designed to improve the health outcomes for older people with an acute illness. It attempts this via enhanced primary care in residential aged care facilities, focused and streamlined care in the emergency department and enhanced intersectoral communication and referral. ResultsImplementing this approach has the potential to decrease inappropriate hospital admissions while improving care for older people in residential aged care and community settings. ConclusionThis article discusses an innovative way of caring for older adults in an ageing population utilising the existing evidence. A formal evaluation is currently underway. Policy Impact: The nurse-led Care coordination through Emergency Department, Residential Aged Care and Primary Health Collaboration (CEDRiC) model of care can improve the health outcomes and reduce the health service costs associated with the care of older adults with acute illness. CEDRiC enhances the coordinated care of older people and reduces potentially avoidable hospital admissions. The current siloed funding models between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories require innovative cross-sectorial approaches. Practice Impact: Increasing the availability of skilled practitioners with knowledge in geriatric syndromes in primary care can potentially reduce hospital admissions.