Postop program reduces delirium risk, LOS for elderly

Editor's Note

Older patients who had major abdominal surgery and received interventions that included daily orienting communication, oral and nutritional assistance, and early mobilization were less likely to experience delirium and had a shorter hospital length of stay (LOS), this study finds.

A total of 377 patients were included in the study, with 197 assigned to the modified Hospital Elder Life Program (mHELP) and 180 to usual care.

Postoperative delirium occurred in 6.6% of patients in the program vs 15.1% in the usual care group. The program group had a median LOS that was 2 day shorter.

Centers that want to advance postoperative care for older patients might consider mHELP as an effective starting point for delirium prevention, the authors say.

Question Does a modified Hospital Elder Life Program reduce incident delirium and hospital length of stay in patients undergoing abdominal surgery? Findings In this cluster randomized clinical trial of 377 older patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, postoperative delirium occurred in fewer patients in the intervention group than in the control group.