The American journal of nursing
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Nearly 40% of all surgeries in the United States are performed on adults ages 65 and older. One of the most common surgical complications in this population is postoperative delirium, which is associated with extended lengths of stay, higher patient care costs, increased morbidity, and greater risk of death. This review evaluates risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients, discusses screening and assessment instruments, and examines intervention strategies.
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Bariatric surgery is an effective and increasingly common treatment for obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. There are currently two major categories of such surgery, grouped according to the predominant mechanism of action: restrictive procedures, such as vertical banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding; and malabsorptive procedures with a restrictive component, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. In general, the more complex the procedure, the better the results in terms of weight loss; but there's evidence that more complex procedures also have higher morbidity and mortality rates. This article outlines five of the most common procedures, discusses the outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery, and describes the nursing implications for pre- and postoperative patient care.
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Will the new federal Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy prevent abuse? Might it inhibit pain relief?