Silver Trauma Unit

The Silver Trauma Unit at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center specializes in the care of hospitalized older adult trauma patients, and it is the first of its kind in the nation. Our team of case managers, social workers, physical/occupational/speech therapists, volunteers, chaplains, and patient liaisons are focused on family-centered care with an emphasis on the patient and family’s involvement with the plan of care.

Designed to be a quiet, healing environment, the Silver Trauma Unit is focused on fall prevention, delirium prevention, and early mobilization post-operatively and post-injury.

Because complications in the elderly present themselves differently than in someone younger, the unit is key to patient care. The nursing staff has to been keen on assessing subtle changes in the patient’s condition, and specially trained to pick up on these subtle changes.

Many of our nurses are trained through the Geriatric Resource Nurse (GRN) Program, in affiliation with the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). This model provides nurses with the skills and support necessary to deliver quality geriatric care. Geriatric-specific resources (continuing education, equipment, and specialty services), interdisciplinary collaboration, and nurse involvement in patient centered treatment-related decision making are the foundation of the GRN training.