Comprehensive geriatric assessment predicts listing for kidney transplant in patients with end-stage renal disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) involves a formal broad approach to assess frailty and creating a plan for management. However, the impact of CGA and its components on listing for kidney transplant in older adults has not been investigated. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent CGA during kidney transplant candidacy evaluation between 2017 and 2021. All patients ≥ 65 years old and those under 65 with any team member concern for frailty were referred for CGA, which included measurements of healthcare utilization, comorbidities, social support, short physical performance battery, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Physical Frailty Phenotype (FPP), and estimate of surgical risk by the geriatrician. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty patients underwent baseline CGA evaluation; 58.7% (135) had high CGA ("Excellent" or "Good" rating for transplant candidacy) and 41.3% (95) had low CGA ratings ("Borderline," "Fair," or "Poor"). High CGA rating (OR 8.46; p < 0.05), greater number of CGA visits (OR 4.93; p = 0.05), younger age (OR 0.88; p < 0.05), higher MoCA scores (OR 1.17; p < 0.05), and high physical activity (OR 4.41; p < 0.05) were all associated with listing on transplant waitlist. CONCLUSIONS: The CGA is a useful, comprehensive tool to help select older adults for kidney transplantation. Further study is needed to better understand the predictive value of CGA in predicting post-operative outcomes.

Management and outcomes of a COVID-19 outbreak in a nursing home with predominantly Black residents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Few studies present clinical management approaches and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). We describe outcomes of a clinical management pathway for a large COVID-19 outbreak in an urban SNF with predominantly racial minority (>90% black), medically complex, older residents. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, and observational cohort study (March 1, 2020-May 31, 2020). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: All subacute and long-term care residents at an urban SNF between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 (Chicago, IL). INTERVENTION: A multicomponent management pathway was developed to manage a large COVID-19 outbreak in an SNF. MEASUREMENTS: Chart review was used to extract demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, lab results, and clinical outcomes over 12 weeks, which were summarized and compared between residents with and without COVID-19. RESULTS: A multicomponent clinical management pathway was used to care for residents with COVID-19, which included frequent scheduled clinical and laboratory evaluation, use of intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen, antibiotics when indicated, and goals-of-care discussions. Of the 204 residents, 172 (84.3%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the 3-month period, with 50.5% symptomatic, 9.3% presymptomatic, and 24.5% asymptomatic, with a 30-day mortality rate of 15.7%. Predominant symptoms were low-grade fever >99 °F, anorexia, delirium, and fatigue. While in the facility, approximately one-quarter of residents experienced hypernatremia [Na > 145 mEq/L] (24.5%), acute kidney injury [Cr > 0.03 mg/dL or 1.5× baseline] (29.7%), or leukopenia [WBC < 4.8 1000/mm3 ] (39.4%). CONCLUSION: We present the first available clinical strategy guiding the medical management of a COVID-19 syndrome in an urban SNF, caring for largely black residents, which may lead to improved mortality.

ECHO-Chicago Geriatrics: using telementoring to "geriatricize" the primary care workforce.

BACKGROUND: The primary care workforce is under-prepared to care for the growing older adult population. Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is a continuing education intervention that connects subspecialists and community health care providers (HCPs) via videoconferencing technology for didactic and case-discussion sessions. Methods: We asked participants to complete 8 to 12 educational telementoring sessions. These sessions were conducted between February 2016 and October 2017. Pre/post surveys of self-efficacy and frequency of practice behaviors were collected from eligible participants. Results: 121 HCPs from multiple sites participated. Of these, 89 (non-trainee status) were eligible to complete surveys. Sixty-two participants (69.7%) completed pre/post surveys. Participants were queried regarding 15 geriatrics competencies. Self-efficacy significantly increased across all competencies after series participation (p < 0.05). Frequency of 8 out of 11 queried geriatrics-centered practice behaviors also increased significantly (p < 0.05). Discussion: ECHO-Chicago Geriatrics offers a novel strategy for improving community HCPs' geriatrics self-efficacy and frequency of geriatrics-centered practice behaviors.

An innovative model using telementoring to provide geriatrics education for nurses and social workers at skilled nursing facilities✰.

Older adults with complex needs reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and are cared for by nurses and social workers with limited geriatrics education. We describe the pilot phase of an educational model using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) platform to teach geriatrics principles to SNF staff. Twenty-five unique participants from 7 total facilities enrolled, with twenty-two participants completing both the pre/post surveys. Statistically significant improvement was seen in participants' self-efficacy to treat patients with dementia, educate patients about hospice and palliative medicine options, and assess and manage infections in older adults. The two largest barriers participants identified in making changes after the series were the time pressures of caring for complex geriatric patients and staff available to assist with social support needs of older adults. ECHO-Chicago's Geriatrics SNF pilot series is innovative and shows promise to provide geriatrics education for the SNF workforce.

Translating Frailty Research Into Clinical Practice: Insights From the Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation Clinic.

Aging researchers have been studying frailty for decades. Experts agree that frailty is a medical syndrome marked by reduced physiologic function, which increases the risk of vulnerability and short-term mortality, particularly in the face of a stressor. Frailty has been shown to predict poor outcomes including falls, disability, major morbidity following surgery, and mortality among older adults. Despite hundreds of papers identifying frailty as a useful marker of risk, its translation into clinical practice has lagged. The Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation (SAFE) clinic was established in 2011 specifically to implement routine and structured frailty assessment and management in a variety of referred patients. Now, more than 7 years after its inception, we offer our "in the trenches" clinical perspective on logistical challenges, the clinical utility of the frailty assessment, and future frailty needs and targets to help further the frailty translation research efforts.

A Curriculum to Enhance Resilience in Internal Medicine Interns.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a serious concern in graduate medical education. While enhancing resilience in trainees is considered beneficial, there are few studies showing successful interventions. OBJECTIVE: We developed and implemented a curriculum to teach resilience skills to internal medicine (IM) residents. METHODS: Our resilience curriculum focused on 4 small group skill-building workshops: setting realistic goals, managing expectations, letting go after stressful clinical events, and finding gratitude. All sessions were delivered by a chief resident during dedicated teaching time, and combined lectures, group discussions, reflection, and simulated skill-building exercises. Participants were assessed before and after the curriculum using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS: Over a period of 2 years, 81 interns participated; 75% (61 of 81) responded prior to participating in the curriculum, and 79% (64 of 81) responded after participation. The majority thought sessions should continue the following year (75%, 48 of 64). Postsession, participants were more comfortable talking about stress and burnout (70%, 44 of 63), were more comfortable talking about medical errors (73%, 46 of 63), and had learned new ways to approach challenges (64%, 41 of 64). Mean resilience scores were lower after the curriculum (72.54 ± 10.18 versus 68.65 ± 10.14, P = .034). Feedback from participants indicated that the sessions fostered a sense of togetherness among peers and provided them with an additional support system. CONCLUSIONS: Small group resilience workshops were feasible over 2 years and well received by IM interns, who noted gaining new skills to approach challenges. There was no improvement in resilience scores after the sessions.

Building Team Resilience and Debriefing After Difficult Clinical Events: A Resilience Curriculum for Team Leaders.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout is prevalent among medical trainees and faculty. Resilience, the ability to cope well with stress and thrive during challenges, has been a focus of initiatives to combat burnout. However, curricula teaching resilience skills are needed. Since residents experience challenging and stressful clinical events often, and would like to discuss these events with their teams, resilience skills may help trainees cope after such events. Additionally, resilience skills may help trainees address other challenges they face as team leaders. Leadership training is an important component of physician professional development. METHODS: This advanced resilience training curriculum consists of two interactive workshops that include didactics, skills practice, and reflection. The first workshop focuses on applying resilience skills to team leadership, while the second focuses on structured team debriefing after difficult clinical events. This curriculum is intended for learners who are health care team leaders, such as senior residents, fellows, or faculty. It may be used with learners who have completed introductory resilience training or with those without prior training. RESULTS: The curriculum was rated highly by senior residents, who reported feeling more comfortable leading their teams after difficult clinical events and talking about these events following this curriculum. The majority of residents thought the workshops should be continued. DISCUSSION: This novel curriculum teaches learners to apply resilience skills during team leadership and difficult clinical scenarios. It was well received by senior residents and may be used with a variety of learners across health professions and training levels.