Riverside Healthcare Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Senior Emergency Care

Riverside Medical Center’s Emergency Department has earned Bronze-Level Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). This national recognition honors Riverside’s commitment to providing exceptional, compassionate emergency care for older adults in our community. 

“Earning this accreditation reflects what has always been at the heart of Riverside, caring for our community at every age and every stage of life,” said Riverside Healthcare President & CEO Phil Kambic. “Our Emergency Department team has worked thoughtfully to ensure that our older patients receive care that is not only high-quality, but also personal, respectful and reassuring.”

Riverside’s Emergency Department serves as the region’s most comprehensive emergency care provider. It is the area’s only Level II Trauma Center and is recognized as an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology, ensuring rapid, life-saving treatment for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies. Riverside is the only area hospital to provide 24/7 onsite coverage by partnering with University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital Pediatricians, bringing world-class pediatric emergency and specialty care to families close to home.

Riverside Medical Center has received numerous Stroke Care Excellence Awards over the years, including: Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients. As the area's first certified Primary Stroke Center, Riverside has earned accreditation as a Certified Primary Stroke Center by DNV Healthcare for demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care. Riverside Medical Center has also received Primary Stroke Center Certification, by DNV Healthcare. This certification recognizes hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Further, Riverside is a leader in technology to advance stroke treatment and help improve outcomes. The addition of the Telemedicine Robot to the Primary Stroke Center helps Riverside’s award-winning stroke team to collaborate with Rush University Medical Center experts on even the most complicated stroke cases.

The GEDA program recognizes hospitals that go above and beyond to meet the unique needs of older patients. Through this accreditation, Riverside demonstrates its dedication to creating a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for seniors and their families right here at home.

To achieve the Bronze GEDA designation, Riverside implemented several age-friendly improvements, including enhanced staff training in geriatric emergency care, specialized equipment designed for older adults and processes that prioritize comfort, safety, and smooth transitions of care after a visit.

“This recognition is really about the people we serve,” said Riverside Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer Ellen Bollino. “Our team is honored to care for seniors in moments when they need us most. Through our staff’s expertise and commitment, we strive to make every visit safer, more comfortable and respectful, reflecting the values we uphold through our mission as a community hospital.”

Riverside Healthcare is proud to be a leader in a growing national movement to make emergency care more responsive and supportive for older adults. For more information about Riverside’s Emergency Department, visit RiversideHealthcare.org/ER