Browsing by Author "Nation, Barb"

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    Advance Care Planning in A Preoperative Clinic: A Retrospective Chart Review
    (Springer, 2019-01-02) Sinha, Shilpee; Gruber, Rachel N.; Cottingham, Ann H.; Nation, Barb; Lane, Kathleen A.; Bo, Na; Torke, Alexia; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Patients seen in preoperative testing clinics are at an increased risk of surgical complications and most are incapacitated for during anesthesia. Advance directives (ADs) are important to guide care in the event of emergencies when patients are unable to speak for themselves. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency with which ADs are completed for patients seen in preoperative clinics prior to elective surgery and identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with having ADs available in the electronic medical record (EMR).
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    Crucial Conversations for High-Risk Populations before Surgery: Advance Care Planning in a Preoperative Setting
    (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2021-10-06) Patel, Roma; Torke, Alexia; Nation, Barb; Cottingham, Ann; Hur, Jennifer; Gruber, Rachel; Sinha, Shilpee; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: High-risk patients undergoing elective surgery are at risk for perioperative complications, including readmissions and death. Advance care planning (ACP) may allow for preparation for such events. Objectives: (1) To assess the completion rate of advance directives (ADs) and their association with one year readmissions and mortality (2) to examine clinical events for decedents. Design: This is an observational cohort study conducted through chart review. Setting/Subjects: Subjects were 400 patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for elective surgery at two hospitals in the United States. Measurements: The prevalence of ADs at the time of surgery and at one year, readmissions, and mortality at one year were determined. Results: Three-hundred ninety patients were included. In total, 102 (26.4%) patients were readmitted, yet did not complete an AD. Seventeen (4.4%) patients filed an AD during follow-up. Nineteen patients died and mortality rate was 4.9%. There was a significant association between completing an AD before death. Of the decedents, seven (37%) underwent resuscitation, but only four had ADs. Conclusions: Many high-risk surgical patients would benefit from ADs before clinical decline. Preoperative clinics present a missed opportunity to ensure ACP occurs before complications arise.