Yi Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral associate (geriatrics) at Yale School of Medicine, has led a recent study alongside co-senior authors, Thomas Gill, MD, and Robert Becher, MD, to examine the rates of hospital readmissions within 30 and 180 days after major surgery for older adults.
In a Q&A session, Yi Wang shared insights into the research, stating, “We know that many older Americans undergo surgery. In our previous research, we found an increased risk of mortality within one year after major surgery for persons aged 65 years or older.” Wang highlighted the importance of evaluating longer-term outcomes following surgery, as supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Surgeons.
Discussing the study’s findings, Wang revealed, “We found that nearly one in eight community-living older U.S. residents were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after having a major operation, and more than one in four were readmitted within 180 days.” The study also indicated a higher likelihood of readmissions within 180 days for older adults who were frail or had probable dementia.
Wang further emphasized the importance of preoperatively identifying frailty and dementia in older persons, stating, “Our findings stress the importance of discussions with patients and their families before major surgery to anticipate short- and long-term needs.”
Looking ahead, Wang expressed hope for increased research and interventions aimed at reducing readmission rates for older adults after major surgery. He stated, “We hope that more research and interventions, such as frailty screening and social support, will be dedicated to the postoperative care of these patients to help older adults maintain health and independence.”
The research conducted by Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine Section of Geriatrics aims to enhance the health of older adults through patient care, training future leaders in aging, and engaging in cutting-edge research.
For more information about their mission, visit Geriatrics.
