Are we missing the first step? : An online expert survey in a mixed methods design on current state analysis of perioperative risk estimation and preoperative preparation of patients over 65 years old in Germany

Abstract

The proportion of patients over 65years of age in surgical care is increasing in Germany. Frailty represents arelevant problem in the perioperative care of older patients and has anegative impact on the postoperative outcome. The individual degree of frailty can be influenced. Multimodal prehabilitation concepts can contribute to improving the degree of frailty in the perioperative care of affected patients. As amultidimensional syndrome, frailty is related to the aging process, affects multiple organ systems and typically leads to increased vulnerability to internal and external stressors. This is accompanied by adecrease in homeostatic reserves and resilience, which implies an increased risk of several adverse health outcomes, such as loss of physical function and quality of life. Prehabilitation is described as amultimodal concept to prepare patients preoperatively in the best possible way for elective surgical procedures, thereby minimizing postoperative complications and improving the patients' outcome. Current state analysis of perioperative care of patients over the age of 65 years in relation to frailty assessment and the use of prehabilitation concepts. Conducting amulticenter online survey of anesthesiology experts (n = 189) in German anesthesiology departments. Survey of the preoperative preparation and assessment routine in patients aged 65 years and over using amixed methods design questionnaire. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the applied assessments and measures taken for specific perioperative risk assessment and preoperative preparation of patients aged 65 years and over. Specific risk assessments or additional preoperative preparation of patients older than 65years are currently not carried out routinely. The preoperative risk assessment and preparation usually focus on ascertaining the patient's previous illnesses or diseases. Assessment instruments for assessing frailty and multimodal prehabilitation concepts are not used in clinical practice in anoteworthy quantity. In German clinical practice frailty assessment and structured prehabilitation approaches in perioperative care of older patients are not broadly known or established. Multimodal prehabilitation concepts can positively influence the outcome of older patients. To this end, it should be considered good clinical practice to assess and address frailty in older patients and to establish multimodal prehabilitation approaches tailored to this patient group.