Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, in recognition of its continued dedication to raise the standards of its elderly care, has been awarded the US-based Age-Friendly Health Systems certification at the participant level. This certification is held by 2,186 members worldwide, with only two in Asia— one in Japan and Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Thailand, being part of this network.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital is the first hospital outside of the United States to receive the two following elderly care certifications:

• In 2023, the hospital received Geriatrics Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) at the silver level, based on the American College of Emergency Physicians' standards, making it the first hospital outside the United States and Canada to achieve this accreditation.
• In 2024, the hospital received the Age-Friendly Health Systems certification at the Participant level from the United States.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is a framework designed to ensure the provision of high-quality care that aligns with the specific needs of the elderly. It is a collaboration between The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and the Catholic Health Association (CHA), with a focus on creating a healthy environment that enables seniors to achieve better outcomes and care experiences.

The main objectives of implementing Age-Friendly Health Systems are:

1. Evidence-based care: Applying approaches and care backed by research to meet the health, emotional, and daily life needs of the elderly.
2. Patient safety: A fundamental principle of medical ethics, prioritizing patient safety and avoiding actions that could cause harm or undesirable side effects, such as by ensuring careful prescription practices, and assessing the benefits and risks of treatment for the patient.
3. Care aligned with the needs of the elderly and caregivers: Focusing on understanding and addressing the health and life goals of both the elderly patients and their caregivers, with a patient-centered approach to improve quality of life.

Age-Friendly Health Systems operates based on the 4M principle, which includes:

• What Matters: Aligning care with the specific needs and life goals of the elderly, including end-of-life care.
• Medication: Proper medication management for the elderly to ensure safety and effectiveness, by reducing unnecessary medications, promoting the use of drugs suited to the needs of the elderly and their caregivers, and minimizing side effects and risks from the use of multiple drugs.
• Mentation: Addressing mental health and cognitive functions in the elderly to improve their quality of life, such as preventing delirium, a common issue in hospitalized elderly patients, by creating a suitable environment and supporting cognitive activities. It also includes the care of depression and dementia alongside overall health care, ensuring comprehensive physical and mental care.
• Mobility: Promoting and supporting safe, effective mobility to help the elderly perform daily activities independently through rehabilitation, exercise, and mobility-improving activities to reduce the risk of falls and improve quality of life.

By integrating these principles, healthcare providers can deliver care that promotes health in the elderly while respecting their dignity and individuality.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital is a hospital for the health and happiness of seniors.

#AgeFriendlyHospital