Seniors at high risk for readmission after ambulatory surgery
Monday, August 10, 2015 - 14:00
in Health & Medicine
Patients 65 and older who have ambulatory surgery are 54 percent more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days than younger patients, regardless of their health before surgery, reports a large national study. The likely cause, based on previous research, is difficulty understanding medication dosing and discharge instructions, as well as cognitive impairment among older patients. About 9 million ambulatory surgeries annually are performed on patients 65 and older.