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Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJ

JAMA. 2009;302(14):1582-1583.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Many common surgical procedures such as spinal fusion, coronary artery bypass grafting, and arthroplasty are routinely performed on older adults. Although such procedures can enhance quality and duration of life, adverse events related to the procedure and postoperative period are key considerations. Important complications include delirium, infection, and cardiac events. Development of these and other complications are associated with increased length of stay, increased rate of discharge to chronic care facilities, and increased mortality. Although age has been considered a primary predictor of surgical outcomes, preoperative functional status is likely a better surrogate for postoperative risk.

Delirium is a major concern for older patients. Although risk factors for postoperative delirium are well defined, relatively few patients receive targeted interventions for prevention.¹ If preoperative evaluation helped identify patients with poor functional status (cognitive and physical impairment predicts delirium), these individuals might benefit from specific environmental and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Routine Preoperative Functional Assessment

Author Affiliations: University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor; and Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Ann Arbor.

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