Management of the Geriatric Patient

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Martinchek

Geriatric syndromes are complex conditions in older adults that often have many contributing factors. Examples of common geriatric syndromes include cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, frailty, weight loss, and pressure ulcers. Identifying the patients at risk for these syndromes and enacting preventive measures are also important to try to reduce the impact that many of these syndromes may have on outcomes. These syndromes can happen across many different care settings including in the community, outpatient setting, hospital, and nursing facilities. Once these syndromes are identified, management techniques often include multifactorial approaches and use both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic means. Management strategies may include assistance from interdisciplinary team members, families, and caregivers of the patient. This review contains 30 references, 4 figures, and 4 tables. Key Words: cognition, delirium, dementia, fall, frailty, gait, geriatric, malnutrition, pressure ulcer, weight loss

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Martinchek

Geriatric syndromes are complex conditions in older adults that often have many contributing factors. Examples of common geriatric syndromes include cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, frailty, weight loss, and pressure ulcers. Identifying the patients at risk for these syndromes and enacting preventive measures are also important to try to reduce the impact that many of these syndromes may have on outcomes. These syndromes can happen across many different care settings including in the community, outpatient setting, hospital, and nursing facilities. Once these syndromes are identified, management techniques often include multifactorial approaches and use both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic means. Management strategies may include assistance from interdisciplinary team members, families, and caregivers of the patient. This review contains 30 references, 4 figures, and 4 tables. Key Words: cognition, delirium, dementia, fall, frailty, gait, geriatric, malnutrition, pressure ulcer, weight loss


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Martinchek

Geriatric syndromes are complex conditions that are common in older adults and often have multiple contributing factors. These syndromes do not fit into discrete disease or organ system categories like other conditions. As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is important that providers are equipped to assess older adults for these geriatric syndromes. These syndromes are associated with functional disability and other poor outcomes. Examples of these syndromes include cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, frailty, weight loss, and pressure ulcers. Understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and predisposing factors may help providers identify patients at risk for these syndromes. Furthermore, a thorough assessment is key in the evaluation of these syndromes. This review contains 48 references, 4 figures, and 8 tables. Key Words: cognition, dementia, delirium, fall, frailty, gait, geriatric, malnutrition, pressure ulcer, weight loss


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Martinchek

Geriatric syndromes are complex conditions that are common in older adults and often have multiple contributing factors. These syndromes do not fit into discrete disease or organ system categories like other conditions. As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is important that providers are equipped to assess older adults for these geriatric syndromes. These syndromes are associated with functional disability and other poor outcomes. Examples of these syndromes include cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, frailty, weight loss, and pressure ulcers. Understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and predisposing factors may help providers identify patients at risk for these syndromes. Furthermore, a thorough assessment is key in the evaluation of these syndromes. This review contains 48 references, 4 figures, and 8 tables. Key Words: cognition, dementia, delirium, fall, frailty, gait, geriatric, malnutrition, pressure ulcer, weight loss


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Martinchek

Geriatric syndromes are complex conditions that are common in older adults and often have multiple contributing factors. These syndromes do not fit into discrete disease or organ system categories like other conditions. As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is important that providers are equipped to assess older adults for these geriatric syndromes. These syndromes are associated with functional disability and other poor outcomes. Examples of these syndromes include cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, frailty, weight loss, and pressure ulcers. Understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and predisposing factors may help providers identify patients at risk for these syndromes. Furthermore, a thorough assessment is key in the evaluation of these syndromes. This review contains 48 references, 4 figures, and 8 tables. Key Words: cognition, dementia, delirium, fall, frailty, gait, geriatric, malnutrition, pressure ulcer, weight loss


2000 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-69
Author(s):  
John M. Murkin

Currently, clinical management strategies during cardio pulmonary bypass (CPB) are undergoing profound changes. Renewed interest in normothermic versus hypothermic perfusion during CPB has resulted in appar ently contradictory results regarding patient outcomes. Much effort has been devoted to defining physiological responses of the brain to various alterations during CPB (eg, pH strategy, normothermia versus hypothermia, pulsatile or nonpulsatile perfusion, use of arterial line filtration, circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfu sion). In addition, prospective studies are examining the impact of diverse strategies on neuropsychological and neurological outcomes after CPB, to define optimal management techniques.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. O’Caoimh ◽  
S. Kennelly ◽  
E. Ahern ◽  
S. O’Keeffe ◽  
R.R. Ortuño

We read with interest the recent editorial examining the relationship between geriatric syndromes and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of Covid-19 (1), particularly the authors recognition of the need to identify frailty among older adults presenting with suspected symptoms and the importance of mobilising a range of healthcare professionals to tackle this disease (1). However, the identification of frailty and the utilisation of screening instruments by those without geriatric training and especially in acute care is challenging. Frailty is a complex condition. While age-associated, it is multi-dimensional and remains difficult to define (2). Although the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older adults (1), data are lacking and pathophysiological mechanisms and the impact of differential management strategies on the course of the disease among older adults is uncertain (1). Further, the prevalence of frailty among those diagnosed, admitted or dying is not clearly reported at present. Nevertheless, the rationale for using frailty to identify those at risk and to allocate care has been correctly highlighted (1). We suggest however, that the use of instruments such as the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) (3) and particularly by non-specialised staff in this setting warrants more careful examination.


Author(s):  
Jan M. Moore ◽  
Anna F. Timperio ◽  
David A. Crawford ◽  
Cate M. Burns ◽  
David Cameron-Smith

Jockeys are required to maintain very low body weight and precise weight control during competition. This study examined the weight loss and weight management strategies of professional horseracing jockeys in the state of Victoria, Australia. An anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was administered (55% response rate, n=116). Almost half (43%) reported that maintaining riding weight was difficult or very difficult, with 75% routinely skipping meals. In preparation for racing, 60% reported that they typically required additional weight loss, with 81% restricting food intake in the 24 hours prior to racing. Additionally, sauna-induced sweating (29%) and diuretics (22%) were frequently employed to further aid in weight loss prior to racing. These rapid weight loss methods did not differ between the 51% of jockeys who followed a weight management plan compared to those who did not. The impact of these extreme weight loss practices on riding performance and health remains unknown.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mishal Abdulrahman Almarshady ◽  
Sharafaldeen Bin Nafisah ◽  
Yousef Almubarak ◽  
Husam Althobyane

Background, The attitude of Leaving the emergency department (ED) without being seen or without completing treatment is attributed to prolonged waiting time. The impact of such behaviour and fate of such patients remain undetermined. Aim This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) and Left Without Completing Treatment (LWCT), analyse the contributing factors for such behaviour and the mortality rate within one week of leaving the ED. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for three months. All adult patients of more than  14  years of age who visited the ED and LWBS or LWCT were included. Patients were seen by physicians and triaged-out, and those who were directed towards the outpatient clinic were excluded. Patients were asked about the reason for leaving, and their intention to return to the same ED again via call. Results The total number of LWBS and LWCT was 286 patients, with a response rate of 75%. The mean age was 45.8 years. About 46.6% sought medical help within seven days of leaving ED. However, the mortality rate was nil. Many patients (69.3%) reported their intention to revisit the same ED in the near future. A positive correlation was found between increasing age and admission within the same seven days’ period. Conclusion Prolonged waiting time is a public health concern that needs management strategies, the number of patients whom LWBS and LWCT require continuous monitoring and exploration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Shehata ◽  
Ishan Patel ◽  
Isha Samreen ◽  
Swaiman Singh ◽  
Sergio Waxman ◽  
...  

Introduction: The morbidity and mortality associated with obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2) has been known to medical science for more than 2000 years. 1 Obesity is increasing in prevalence in adults, adolescents, and children and is considered a global epidemic. The age-adjusted overall prevalence of obesity in the United States increased progressively from 22.9 to 30.5 to 39.6 percent from the year 2007 to 2016. 2 Purpose: To Assess if filling out a survey on obesity has any impact on a patient’s behavior and self-awareness in an outpatient setting. Methods: In an urban outpatient setting, 350 individuals aged 18 and above, suffering from obesity (defined as BMI >30/m2) were asked to fill-out a survey. The survey included basic demographic information, weight, employment status, exercise frequency, eating habits, and questions about self-perception. Patients filled out an identical follow-up survey 2-3 months later. We measured the changes in responses between the pre- and the post- survey. Results: Of the 350 original respondents, 103 patients followed up with the post-survey. 68.9% were women, 73.2% were African-American, and 62.3% were unemployed. 46.4% of patients felt neutral, or content about their current weight. 37.7% of patients reported never exercising in the pre-survey vs. 16.8% in the post-survey (20.9% improvement), while 25.3% of patients reported exercising 2-3 times per week in the pre-survey vs. 36.4% in the post-survey (11.1% improvement). 61% of patients had lost weight (average weight loss of 6.75lbs), 19% of patients had gained weight (average weight gain 4.55 lbs.) and 20% had maintained the same weight. We recorded a net weight loss of 2.2 lbs. Conclusion: In our pilot study, we found that the act of filling out a survey on obesity may have a positive impact on the behavior and self-awareness of patients with BMI > 30kg/m2. Larger sample sizes would be beneficial in order to further establish the impact of such intervention. 1. Bray GA. The Battle of the Bulge: A History of Obesity Research, Dorrance, Pittsburgh 2007. 2. Hales CM, Fryar CD, Carroll MD, Freedman DS, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in US Youth and Adults by Sex and Age, 2007-2008 to 2015-2016. JAMA. 2018;319(16):1723.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainaatul Afifah Md Saleh ◽  
Kassim Thukiman ◽  
Mohd Koharuddin Mohd Balwi ◽  
Muhammed Fauzi Othman ◽  
Mohd Azhar Abd Hamid

The study aimed to identify informal learning experiences among MYCORPS volunteers using qualitative methods through semi-structured interviews and using snowball sampling methods. The three objectives of the study were (i) to know the informal learning experiences experienced by the MYCORPS volunteers, (ii) to identify the factors that contributed to the informal learning experiences experienced by the MYCORPS volunteers and (iii) to know the impact of the informal learning experiences experienced by the MYCORPS volunteers. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis method. The informal learning experience is divided into two, soft skills and real skills. The contributing factors to the informal learning experience are learning strategies, outsiders and team members which affects the knowledge, skills and attitudes of volunteers. The chosen phenomenological approach is to understand a phenomenon. The results show that informal learning is experienced through these factors and affects knowledge, skills and attitudes. The study implicates adult learning practitioners, theories used and also the volunteers.


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