New Standards Aim to Improve Surgery for the Oldest Patients

The American College of Surgeons on Friday kicked off a program designed to help hospitals optimize surgery on patients who are 75 and older by adopting a set of 30 standards, reports ABC News . Older adults currently account for about 40 percent of surgeries, but they face significant risks during the recovery process. Prolonged periods of time spent bedridden can lead to a drastic muscle loss, exacerbating the problems seniors face due to frailty. Meanwhile, older men and women are also susceptible to illness following surgery. The new standards focus on clear communication about the risks of surgery, team-based care, and pre-surgery screening to influence the post-surgery care plan. Eight hospitals have already tested the program and have reported positive results.