(Press-News.org) TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2012—A first-of-its-kind program at St. Michael's Hospital lowers risk of delirium in elderly patients admitted for trauma and decreases the likelihood they will be discharged to a long-term care facility.
The Geriatric Trauma Consultation Service is a program where every patient over 60 admitted to the trauma service is seen by a member of the geriatric team within 72 hours.
This is a big change from previous practice, where only 4 per cent of elderly patients admitted to trauma were seen by a geriatric team member during their stay in hospital.
"Older patients admitted to trauma are very complex," said Dr. Camilla Wong, a geriatrician in the trauma unit at St. Michael's and the lead physician of the project. "They often have pre-existing health issues, resulting in more in-hospital complications and medical consultations. The traditional model addressed these later, but we felt it was necessary to involve the geriatric team at an earlier point to make sure we're providing the best possible care."
The service provides an in-depth assessment of medical, cognitive, functional and psychosocial conditions.
An evaluation of the program was recently published in Annals of Surgery.
The evaluation looked at 238 elderly patients admitted to hospital for trauma before the Geriatric Trauma Consultation Service was put in place and 248 patients after the service had been implemented.
Dr. Wong and colleagues found that the service reduced the risk of developing delirium in hospital by 10 per cent.
"Seeing a reduction in the risk of developing delirium for these patients was a very significant finding," Dr. Wong said. "Developing delirium in hospital has been associated with morbidity, longer length of hospital stay, increased hospital-acquired complications and permanent cognitive decline, such as developing dementia."
For patients who had originally come to hospital from their home, there was also a significant decline in patients being discharged to a long-term care facility.
"In older patients, there's a lot more to consider than just treating their traumatic injuries," Dr. Wong said. "More than 30 per cent of the patients who come to the trauma unit are 60 and older so it's important we have programs like this to properly take into account all their needs."
### About St. Michael's Hospital
St. Michael's Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 23 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, and care of the homeless are among the Hospital's recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Center, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael's Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
For more information, or to speak to Dr. Wong please contact:
Kate Taylor
Communications Adviser
St. Michael's Hospital
Phone: 416-864-6060 x. 6537
TaylorKa@smh.ca
Inspired Care. Inspiring Science
www.stmichaelshospital.com
First-of-its-kind program improves outcomes for seniors admitted for trauma
2012-11-14
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Scientists question the designation of some emerging diseases
2012-11-14
The Ebola, Marburg and Lassa viruses are commonly referred to as emerging diseases, but leading scientists say these life-threatening viruses have been around for centuries.
In a perspective in the Nov. 9 issue of the journal Science, researchers including a professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) say it would be more appropriate to refer to these viruses as emerging diagnoses.
"The infectious agents were identified around the middle of the 20th century but that does not mean that they were new," said Joseph McCormick, M.D., ...
Ancient foot massage technique may ease cancer symptoms
2012-11-14
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A study led by a Michigan State University researcher offers the strongest evidence yet that reflexology – a type of specialized foot massage practiced since the age of pharaohs – can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and perform daily tasks.
Funded by the National Cancer Institute and published in the latest issue of Oncology Nursing Forum, it is the first large-scale, randomized study of reflexology as a complement to standard cancer treatment, according to lead author Gwen Wyatt, a professor in the College of Nursing.
"It's always been ...
PCBs, other pollutants may play role in pregnancy delay
2012-11-14
Couples with high levels of PCBs and similar environmental pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy in comparison to other couples with lower levels of the pollutants, according to a preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are chemicals that have been used as coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment. They are part of a category of chemicals known as persistent organochlorine pollutants and include industrial chemicals and chemical byproducts as well as pesticides. In many ...
Timing of first menstrual cycle may be predictor of cardiovascular disease risk in women
2012-11-14
Chevy Chase, MD—Age at onset of menarche (first menstrual cycle) is associated with increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and overall obesity in adulthood, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. When compared to men, women may manifest their clinical disease later in life, rendering standard risk prediction algorithms less reliable in women. The current study uses a life ...
Diabetic patients have higher prevalence of hearing impairment
2012-11-14
Chevy Chase, MD –– Patients with diabetes have a significantly higher prevalence of hearing impairment than patients without diabetes, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). Study authors note that the finding is likely to be independent of the effect of aging or a noisy environment.
The number of those with impaired hearing more than doubled in the period from 1995 to 2004. Epidemiologically, several health problems in relation to hearing impairment have been reported such ...
BPA shown to disrupt thyroid function in pregnant animals and offspring
2012-11-14
Chevy Chase, MD –– In utero exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) can be associated with decreased thyroid function in newborn sheep, according to a recent study accepted for publication in Endocrinology, a journal of The Endocrine Society. Hypothyroidism is characterized by poor mental and physical performance in human adults and in children can result in cognitive impairment and failure to grow normally.
BPA, a major molecule used in the plastic industry, has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor that could exert deleterious effects on human health. Most investigations have ...
Climate change increases stress, need for restoration on grazed public lands
2012-11-14
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eight researchers in a new report have suggested that climate change is causing additional stress to many western rangelands, and as a result land managers should consider a significant reduction, or in some places elimination of livestock and other large animals from public lands.
A growing degradation of grazing lands could be mitigated if large areas of Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service lands became free of use by livestock and "feral ungulates" such as wild horses and burros, and high populations of deer and elk were reduced, the ...
Jeff Brown Joins Petey Silveira on New Pathway to Healing Radio Show
2012-11-14
A former criminal lawyer and psychotherapist, Jeff Brown is the author of "Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation," published by North Atlantic Books. Endorsed by authors Elizabeth Lesser and Ram Dass, "Soulshaping" is Brown's autobiography — an inner travelogue of his journey from archetypal male warrior to a more surrendered path.
A frequent inspiration writer for ABC's 'Good Morning America' website, he is also the author of the new quotes book 'Ascending with both feet on the Ground' and the co-producer of the just released spiritual documentary ...
League of Women Voters of Northern Valley in New Jersey to Present Forum on Human Trafficking
2012-11-14
The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV) will present the forum, STOP Human Trafficking Now, a panel discussion on prevention, awareness and advocacy. The forum will take place on Monday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., at the Tenafly Middle School auditorium, located at 10 Sunset Lane in Tenafly, New Jersey.
Co-sponsors of the forum are the Northern New Jersey National Organization for Women, National Organization for Women of New Jersey, and the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section. The event is free and open to the public.
The program will ...
Happy Nails Wins Three Consecutive Talk of the Town Awards for Customer Satisfaction
2012-11-14
With a jump during the past three years to a 4.5-star rating for customer satisfaction, Happy Nails has earned its third straight CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award in the Beauty & Spas — Nail Salons category.
The Talk of the Town Awards, presented by Talk of the Town News, Customer Care News magazine and Celebration Media U.S. (CMUS), honors companies and professionals that provide excellent customer service as reported by their customers through no-cost, user-review websites, blogs, social networks, business rating services, and other honors and ...