Differences in Outcomes After Anesthesia-Related Adverse Events in Older and Younger Patients. Issue 4 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Root, Christopher W.; Beilin, Yaakov; McCormick, Patrick J.; Curatolo, Christopher J.; Katz, Daniel; Hyman, Jaime B.
• Is Part Of: Journal for healthcare quality. Volume 42:Issue 4(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: geriatrics -- patient safety -- anesthesia; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Quality assurance -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1097/JHQ.0000000000000216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-2551

Abstract

Abstract : ABSTRACT: Because more older adults undergo surgical procedures, it is incumbent on us to learn how to provide them with the safest possible perioperative care. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a large tertiary care center to determine whether outcomes after anesthesia-related adverse events differed between patients aged 65 years and older versus patients under age 65. One thousand four hundred twenty-four cases were referred to the Performance Improvement committee of the Department of Anesthesiology from the years 2007–2015. After exclusions of cases that were not anesthesia-related, could not be identified, or were duplicates, 747 cases with anesthesia-related adverse events were included in the study. Two hundred eighty-six were aged 65 years and older and 461 were under age 65. Anesthesia-related adverse events occurred more commonly in the postoperative period in older patients relative to younger patients (37.7% vs. 21.9%, p = .001), and older patients had a greater incidence of mortality compared with a propensity-matched group of younger patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.87 [1.14–3.12], p < .05). We concluded that older patients have a greater likelihood of mortality as a result of suffering an anesthesia-related adverse event and may benefit from increased vigilance in the postoperative period. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.