16/06/2024
I peered into the chart of the 87 yo who had been in the hospital for almost a month. She was diagnosed with cancer of the intestine and subsequently underwent major surgery. Following the surgery, she unfortunately developed pneumonia, necessitating ICU admission. What followed was endless days in the ICU- necessitating airway protection and ventilator support.
After an excruciating 7 days of ICU stay, it was decided that to extubate, she would have to undergo a tracheostomy (surgically created hole in the neck) to protect her airways and clear her secretions the neck to protect her airways from her secretions.
A day after being out of the ICU, while being mobilized, she fainted- pushing her into another round of invasive tests, an angiogram, and a necessary angioplasty. She was now planned for discharge and was now confused almost bedridden and now deconditioned.
For an individual, nearly 90 y.o who was fairly independent in her daily activity before hospitalization, to be dependent for her daily activities was also a certain form of abuse—an abuse of medical / health interventions.
As medical professionals, we must have a solution.
It may be as innocuous as a medication or as damaging as an intervention. This is no different than abuse. An abuse of the medical interventions- a health abuse.
Among all the forms of elder abuse, - verbal, physical, emotional, social, financial, and sexual, unnecessary interventions and procedures amount to abuse.
Wake up, friends. While we may not be able to address all forms of abuse, this is one we can certainly avoid. Discuss and decide “what matters most”.
We must think and decide (with the patient and family) about doing what is best.
Listen to the patient. Listen to yourself.
Make a difference
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
