Study: Geriatric surgery program improves outcomes, independence

Editor's Note

Older cancer patients undergoing major abdominal procedures at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island, significantly benefitted from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) program, Medical Xpress reported December 10. Citing a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the article details the program’s positive impact on postoperative outcome and preserved independence.

For the study, Researchers evaluated 100 patients aged 65 and older who underwent major abdominal oncologic surgery, comparing outcomes for 57 patients treated before GSV implementation (control group) and 43 patients treated after (intervention group). As reported by Medical Xpress, findings include: 

• Patients treated under the GSV program had an average length of stay of 4.4 days, compared to 6.5 days in the control group.
• Only 7.3% of GSV patients were discharged to care facilities, versus 24.1% in the control group.
• Patients in the GSV group were 72% less likely to experience increased care needs at discharge.

According to the article, the GSV program incorporates comprehensive assessments, personalized care plans, prehabilitation, and strategies to mitigate risks such as delirium and falls, which likely contributed to these improved outcomes.