scholarly journals Impact of Age on Consent in a Geriatric Orthopaedic Trauma Patient Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215145932110030
Author(s):  
Madeline M. McGovern ◽  
Michael F. McTague ◽  
Erin Stevens ◽  
Juan Carlos Nunez Medina ◽  
Esteban Franco-Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Trauma Patient ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Proxy Consent ◽  
Health Care Proxy ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Health Care Proxies

Introduction: Persistent misconceptions of frailty and dementia in geriatric patients impact physician-patient communication and leave patients vulnerable to disempowerment. Physicians may inappropriately focus the discussion of treatment options to health care proxies instead of patients. Our study explores the consenting process in a decision-making capable orthogeriatric trauma patient population to determine if there is a relationship between increased patient age and surgical consent by health care proxy. Methods: Patients aged 65 and older who underwent operative orthopaedic fracture fixation between 1 of 2 Level 1 Trauma Centers were retrospectively reviewed. Decision-making capable status was defined as an absence of patient history of cognitive impairment and a negative patient pre-surgical Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Mini-Cog Assessment screen. Provider of surgical consent was the main outcome and was determined by signature on the consent form. Results: 510 patients were included, and 276 (54.1%) patients were deemed capable of consent. In 27 (9.8%) of 276 decision-capable patients, physicians obtained consent from health care proxies. 20 of these 27 patients (74.1%) were 80 years of age or older. However, in patients aged 70 to 79, only 7 health care proxies provided consent. (p = 0.07). For every unit increase in age, the log odds of proxy consent increased by .0008 (p < 0.001). Age (p < 0.001), income level (p = 0.03), and physical presence of proxy at consult (p < 0.001) were factors associated with significantly increased utilization of health care proxy provided consent. Language other than English was a significant predictor of proxy-provided consent (p = 0.035). 48 (22%) decision-making incapable patients provided their own surgical consent. Discussion: The positive linear association between age and health care proxy provided consent in cognitively intact geriatric orthopaedic patients indicates that increased patient age impacts the consenting process. Increased physician vigilance and adoption of institutional consenting guidelines can reinforce appropriate respect of geriatric patients’ consenting capacity.

scholarly journals Frailty in Glioblastoma Is Independent From Chronological Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Krenzlin ◽  
Dragan Jankovic ◽  
Christoph Alberter ◽  
Darius Kalasauskas ◽  
Christiane Westphalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Patient Âgé

Objective: Treatment of glioblastoma in elderly patients is particularly challenging due to their general condition and comorbidities. Treatment decisions are often based on chronological age. Frailty screening tests promise an assessment tool to stratify geriatric patients and identify those at risk for an unfavorable outcome. This study aims to evaluate the impact of age and frailty on the surgical outcome and overall survival in geriatric patients with glioblastoma.Methods: Data acquisition was conducted as a single-center retrospective analysis. From January 1st 2015, and December 31st 2019, 104 glioblastoma patients over 70 years of age were included in our study. Demographic data, tumor size, Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG), as well as treatment modalities, were assessed. The Geriatric 8 health status screening tool (G8) and Groningen Frailty Index (GFI) were compiled pre-and postoperatively.Results: The mean patient age was 76.86 ± 4.11 years. Forty-nine (47%) patients were female, 55 (53%) male. Sixty-seven patients underwent microsurgical tumor resection, 37 received tumor biopsy alone. Mean G8 on admission was 12.4 ± 2.0, mean GFI 5.0 ± 2.5. In our cohort, frailty was independent of patient age, tumor size, or localization. Frailty, defined by G8 and GFI, is associated with shorter overall survival (G8: p = 0.0035; GFI: p = 0.0136) and higher numbers of surgical complications (G8: p = 0.0326; GFI: p = 0.0388). Frailer patients are more likely to receive best supportive care (p = 0.004). Nevertheless, frailty did not affect adjuvant treatment decision-making toward either single-use of chemo- or radiation therapy, stratified treatment, or concomitant therapy. The surgical decision on the extent of resection was not based on pre-operative frailty.Conclusion: In our study, frailty is a predictor of poorer surgical outcomes, post-operative complications, and impaired overall survival independent of chronological age. Frailty screening tests offer an additional assessment tool to stratify geriatric patients with glioblastoma and identify those at risk for a detrimental outcome and thus should be implemented in therapeutic decision making.

scholarly journals How do specialist surgeons treat the atrophic tooth gap? A vignette-based study among maxillofacial and oral surgeons

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Korsch ◽  
Winfried Walther ◽  
Bernt-Peter Robra ◽  
Aynur Sahin ◽  
Matthias Hannig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Bisphosphonate Therapy ◽  
Bone Block ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Endocarditis Prophylaxis ◽  
Therapy Decision ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Case Vignettes

Abstract Background There is little information available regarding the decision-making process of clinicians, especially in the choice of therapy for a severely atrophic tooth gap. The aim of this research was to use case vignettes to determine the influence of possible factors on the decision making of maxillofacial and oral surgeons. Methods A total of 250 maxillofacial (MFS) and oral (OS) surgeons in southern Germany were surveyed for atrophic single- or multiple-tooth gap with the help of case vignettes. The influence of different determinants on the therapy decision was investigated. Two case vignettes were designed for this purpose: vignette 1 with determinants “patient age” and “endocarditis prophylaxis” and vignette 2 with determinants “anxiety” and “bisphosphonate therapy”. Furthermore, the specialist designation was assessed for both. The options available to achieve a sufficient implant site were "bone split", "bone block", "augmentation with bone substitute material" and "bone resection". Therapy was either recommended or rejected based on principle. Results A total of 117 participants returned the questionnaire: 68 (58%) were OS and 49 (42%) MFS. “Patient age” and “patient anxiety” were not significantly associated with any therapy decision. However, required “endocarditis prophylaxis” led to significantly higher refusal rates for "bone split", "bone block" and "bone replacement material" and to higher rates of general refusal of a therapy. “Bisphosphonate therapy” was significantly associated with general refusal of therapy, but with no significant correlation with different therapy options. In vignette 1, OS refused therapy significantly more often than MFS, though there was no association with the specialist designation for other therapy modalities. In vignette 2, specialty was not significantly associated with the therapy decision. Conclusion “Patient age” as well as “patient anxiety” appear to have no or little influence on the treatment decision for severely atrophic single- or multiple-tooth gap by specialist surgeons. Surgeons more often refuse treatment for patients with endocarditis prophylaxis and bisphosphonate therapy.

Missed Peritalar Injuries

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 363-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean A. Matuszak ◽  
Erin A. Baker ◽  
Cory M. Stewart ◽  
Paul T. Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Patient Population ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Complex Anatomy ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Joint Dislocations ◽  
Time To Diagnosis ◽  
Surgical Data

Because of the complex anatomy of the foot, rarity of fractures of the foot, and subtle radiographic cues, foot injuries are commonly overlooked and mis/undiagnosed. This study seeks to investigate a patient population whose peritalar injuries, including fractures and dislocations, were missed on initial examination, in order to analyze factors of known, missed injuries and provide insight into methods for reducing the incidence of missed diagnoses. Surgical cases between January 1999 and May 2011 were queried and retrospectively reviewed to identify missed peritalar injuries. Of 1682 surgical cases reviewed, 27 patients with missed peritalar injury(ies), which were subsequently confirmed by imaging studies, were identified. Using the Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification, fracture and dislocation subtypes were classified. A medical record review was performed to assess demographic and surgical data elements. In this study population, 7 types of peritalar injuries (talus, calcaneal, navicular, and cuboid fractures as well as subtalar, calcaneocuboid, and talonavicular joint dislocations) were diagnosed in 27 patients. All patients required surgical intervention. Talus fractures were the most commonly missed injury. In patients with multiple peritalar injuries, there was a strong correlation between talus and navicular fractures (r = −0.60; P < .01) as well as a moderate correlation between talus fractures and calcaneocuboid dislocations (r = −0.46; P = .02). The presence of a calcaneal fracture significantly decreased the time to definitive diagnosis ( P = .01). Male patients’ diagnoses were delayed an average of 324 days and females 105 days ( P = .04). A moderate correlation was found between patient age at injury and time to diagnosis (r = −0.47; P = .04), with a decreased time to diagnosis as patient age increased. Significant factors were identified in this patient population, including patient sex and age, which may contribute to missed or delayed diagnosis in the clinical setting. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of peritalar injuries may improve long-term outcomes. Levels of Evidence: Care Management, Level V

scholarly journals How Do Specialist Surgeons Treat the Atrophic Tooth Gap? - A Vignette-based Study Among Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Korsch ◽  
Winfried Walther ◽  
Bernt-Peter Robra ◽  
Aynur Sahin ◽  
Matthias Hannig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Bisphosphonate Therapy ◽  
Bone Block ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Endocarditis Prophylaxis ◽  
Therapy Decision ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Case Vignettes

Abstract BackgroundThere is little information available regarding the decision-making process of clinicians, especially in the choice of therapy for a severely atrophic tooth gap. The aim of this research was to use case vignettes to determine the influence of possible factors on the decision making of maxillofacial and oral surgeons.MethodsA total of 250 maxillofacial (MFS) and oral (OS) surgeons in southern Germany were surveyed for atrophic single- or multiple-tooth gap with the help of case vignettes. The influence of different determinants on the therapy decision was investigated. Two case vignettes were designed for this purpose: vignette 1 with determinants “patient age” and “endocarditis prophylaxis” and vignette 2 with determinants “anxiety” and “bisphosphonate therapy”. Furthermore, the specialist designation was assessed for both. The options available to achieve a sufficient implant site were "bone split", "bone block", "augmentation with bone substitute material" and "bone resection". Therapy was either recommended or rejected based on principle.ResultsA total of 117 participants returned the questionnaire: 68 (58%) were OS and 49 (42%) MFS. “Patient age” and “patient anxiety” were not significantly associated with any therapy decision. However, required “endocarditis prophylaxis” led to significantly higher refusal rates for "bone split", "bone block" and "bone replacement material" and to higher rates of general refusal of a therapy. “Bisphosphonate therapy” was significantly associated with general refusal of therapy, but with no significant correlation with different therapy options. In vignette 1, OS refused therapy significantly more often than MFS, though there was no association with the specialist designation for other therapy modalities. In vignette 2, specialty was not significantly associated with the therapy decision.Conclusion“Patient age” as well as “patient anxiety” appear to have no or little influence on the treatment decision for severely atrophic single- or multiple-tooth gap by specialist surgeons. Surgeons more often refuse treatment for patients with endocarditis prophylaxis and bisphosphonate therapy.

Mortality rates in geriatric patients with spinal cord injuries

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Fassett ◽  
James S. Harrop ◽  
Mitchell Maltenfort ◽  
Shiveindra B. Jeyamohan ◽  
John D. Ratliff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Neurological Injury ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Object The authors undertook this study to evaluate the incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in geriatric patients (≥ 70 years of age) and examine the impact of patient age, extent of neurological injury, and spinal level of injury on the mortality rate associated with traumatic SCI. Methods A prospectively maintained SCI database (3481 patients) at a single institution was retrospectively studied for the period from 1978 through 2005. Parameters analyzed included patient age, admission American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, level of SCI, mechanism of injury, and mortality data. The data pertaining to the 412 patients 70 years of age and older were compared with those pertaining to the younger cohort using a chi-square analysis. Results Since 1980, the number of SCI-related hospital admissions per year have increased fivefold in geriatric patients and the percentage of geriatric patients within the SCI population has increased from 4.2 to 15.4%. In comparison with younger patients, geriatric patients were found to be less likely to have severe neurological deficits (greater percentage of ASIA Grades C and D injuries), but the mortality rates were higher in the older age group both for the period of hospitalization (27.7% compared with 3.2%, p < 0.001) and during 1-year follow-up. The mortality rates in this older population directly correlate with the severity of neurological injury (1-year mortality rate, ASIA Grade A 66%, Grade D 23%, p < 0.001). The mortality rate in elderly patients with SCI has not changed significantly over the last two decades, and the 1-year mortality rate was greater than 40% in all periods analyzed. Conclusions Spinal cord injuries in older patients are becoming more prevalent. The mortality rate in this patient group is much greater than in younger patients and should be taken into account when aggressive interventions are considered and in counseling families regarding prognosis.

scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption of Mobile Health Among Health Care Professionals From the United Kingdom: Discrete Choice Experiment

10.2196/17704 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e17704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Leigh ◽  
Liz Ashall-Payne ◽  
Tim Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

Background Despite the increasing availability of mobile health services, clinical engagement remains minimal. Objective This study aims to identify and weight barriers to and drivers of health app use among health care professionals (HCPs) from the United Kingdom. Methods A discrete choice experiment was conducted with 222 HCPs using a web-based survey between March 2019 and June 2019. Participants were recruited to take part via social media and asked to choose their preferred option of 2 hypothetical health apps to prescribe to a hypothetical patient or to prescribe neither. Choices were characterized by differing levels of patient age, cost, published evidence bases, whether they had a National Health Service (NHS) stamp of approval, personal familiarity with the technology, and whether they were recommended by a fellow HCP. The results were analyzed using a mixed logit model, with subgroup analyses to account for heterogeneity. Results We received 230 responses, a total of 96.5% (n=222/230) of respondents understood the survey task and passed the test of rationality. The median age was between 36 and 45 years, and 62.6% (n=139/222) of the health care providers responding to the survey had previously recommended the use of health apps to patients. Health apps were most likely to be prescribed to patients if they had an NHS stamp of approval or if they were recommended by another HCP (both P<.001). Published studies detailing clinical effectiveness were important (P<.001), but it would take five published studies to have the same impact on prescribing behavior as an NHS stamp of approval and two studies to be as convincing as having used the technology personally. Increasing patient age and costs resulted in significant reductions in digital health prescribing (P<.001), none more so than among allied health professionals. Willingness-to-pay for health apps increased by £124.61 (US $151.14) if an NHS stamp of approval was present and by £29.20 (US $35.42) for each published study. Overall, 8.1% (n=18/222) of respondents were reluctant to use health apps, always choosing the I would prescribe neither option, particularly among older HCPs, nurses, and those who do not use health apps personally. Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in preferences among HCPs of differing ages and clinical backgrounds. Conclusions An NHS stamp of approval, published studies, and recommendations from fellow HCPs are significant facilitators of digital prescribing, whereas increasing costs and patient age are significant barriers to engagement. These findings suggest that demonstrating assurances of health apps and supporting both the dissemination and peer-to-peer recommendation of evidence-based technologies are critical if the NHS is to achieve its long-term digital transformation ambitions.

scholarly journals Health Care–AssociatedClostridium difficileInfection in Canada: Patient Age and Infecting Strain Type Are Highly Predictive of Severe Outcome and Mortality

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Miller ◽  
Denise Gravel ◽  
Michael Mulvey ◽  
Geoffrey Taylor ◽  
David Boyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Strain Type
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