Preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary team input in older people undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery: A feasibility trial

Objective

To determine the feasibility of preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and multidisciplinary team (MDT) input for older people undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery in a tertiary New Zealand setting.

Methods

This single-centre retrospective study included elective orthopaedic patients older than 65 years (and Māori/Pasifika aged greater than 55 years) with hyperpolypharmacy, frailty, neurocognitive disorders and poor functional status. Patients attended a preoperative clinic where they had a geriatrician-led CGA along with MDT input. The feasibility of this preoperative model was assessed using outcomes of acceptability, accessibility and adherence. A qualitative description of patient demographics along with clinic assessment and interventions further describes this pilot experience.

Results

Sixty patients met inclusion criteria. This group were vulnerable older people (median age 77 years), with a high incidence of hyperpolypharmacy (85%), frailty (80%) and neurocognitive disorders (30%). Acceptability was high (97%), along with CGA accessibility (100%); however, MDT accessibility varied (53–90%). Adherence to MDT intervention was low; with only 26% of patients completing physiotherapy sessions and only 29% adhering to dietary advice. Accurate recall was a significant factor contributing to poor adherence. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was demonstrated to be a broad and flexible intervention.

Conclusions

CGA with MDT input is an acceptable and accessible intervention to be utilised as part of improved preoperative care for the older person undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. Further consideration around methods to increase adherence in this patient group should be explored. Future research should focus on refining the intervention, and quantifying impact on patient outcomes.