San Diego’s 75-Year-Old Cynthia Tompkins Gets Specialized ER Care at Geriatric Unit
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 25
San Diego’s 75-Year-Old Cynthia Tompkins Gets Specialized ER Care at Geriatric Unit
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 25
Summary
Violent vomiting over about 24 hours sent 75-year-old Cynthia Tompkins to UC San Diego Health’s emergency department, where she was quickly placed in a room, given IV fluids and moved to a thicker-mattress gurney.
That response reflected San Diego’s geriatric emergency model: since 2022, every adult ER in the county has been accredited to address older patients’ risks such as frailty, pressure sores and complex medication needs.
Tompkins arrived after a difficult stretch that included a May hospitalization for osteomyelitis, six weeks in rehab and continued treatment with antibiotics and other drugs for diabetes, pain and blood clots.
Recent studies cited in the report suggest geriatric emergency departments can cut hospital admissions, lower costs and reduce deaths among older adults.