Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University Hospital's Emergency Department has been awarded Level 1 Accreditation for Geriatric Emergency Care by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). This achievement makes it one of only two hospitals in Suffolk County to receive this status.

"Adults aged 65 and older represent one of the largest populations seeking emergency care here on Long Island," stated William A. Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President at Stony Brook Medicine. He praised the team's efforts in providing high-quality geriatric care and promoting healthy aging in the community.

Carol Gomes, CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital, added that "this designation shows Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to preserving the independence and dignity of seniors on Long Island by providing the latest treatments, comprehensive services and improved patient outcomes."

Hospitals with a Level One Gold accreditation offer person-centered care tailored for older adults through specific initiatives related to policies, guidelines, procedures, and staffing. According to U.S. Census Bureau data from the American Community Survey, there is a growing population of senior citizens on Long Island. From 2019 to 2023, an estimated 36.9% of households included someone aged 65 or older in Suffolk County.

Stony Brook's ED has implemented various age-appropriate care protocols such as fall assessment and prevention strategies, geriatric-specific pain management measures, nutrition access around-the-clock for seniors, standardized discharge protocols focusing on communication needs for different ages, and reduced use of physical restraints with trained companions/sitters.

The Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University supports its mission by offering seniors opportunities for healthy living through research conducted at the Stony Brook Center for Healthy Aging (CHA). The CHA aims to enhance understanding of aging across multiple disciplines and improve early intervention methods so seniors can maintain their quality of life while living independently.

About Stony Brook University Hospital:

Stony Brook University Hospital serves as Long Island’s leading academic health center with 624 beds. It is recognized as a tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center housing several specialized institutes including heart institute; cancer center; children's hospital; neurosciences institute; perinatal center; AIDS center; psychiatric emergency program; burn center; ALS Center of Excellence; kidney transplant center along with hosting nation's first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. More information can be found at www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.