Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To determine whether readily collected perioperative information might identify older surgical patients at higher risk of complications. ⋯ This is the first study to identify the perioperative Braden Scale score, a widely used risk-stratifier for pressure ulcers, as an independent predictor of other adverse outcomes in geriatric surgical patients. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and to investigate other uses for this tool, which correlates well to phenotypic models of frailty.
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To examine the characteristics of hospice enrollees with dementia who were discharged alive because their condition stabilized or improved and predictors of death in the year after discharge. ⋯ A small proportion of hospice enrollees with dementia was discharged alive. Most died shortly after enrollment. Future research should examine other factors that may predict which hospice enrollees with dementia are likely to be discharged alive and their subsequent trajectory, such as functional status, comorbidities, and preferences for care.
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To determine which cognitive tests are independently associated with performance on the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG). ⋯ Slower TUG time is independently associated with poorer performance on global cognition, executive function, and memory tests and slower processing speed. This highlights that TUG is more than just a simple mobility task and suggests that a comprehensive cognitive assessment is important for individuals with mobility difficulties.
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To determine whether cumulative symptom burden predicts hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visits in a cohort of older adults. ⋯ Greater symptom burden was associated with higher risk of hospitalization and ED visits in community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare providers treating older adults should consider symptom burden to be an additional risk factor for subsequent hospital utilization.
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To provide nursing home (NH)-specific estimates to assess whether venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors identified for the general population apply to NH residents. ⋯ Although general population VTE risk factors (active cancer and recent hospitalization or surgery) can identify NH residents at higher risk for VTE, these exposures do not adequately stratify VTE risk for thromboprophylaxis recommendations. Further research into NH-specific risk factors and prophylaxis effectiveness is required.