QUALITY MEASURES IN SURGICAL PALLIATIVE CARE ADAPTING EXISTING PALLIATIVE CARE MEASURES TO IMPROVE CARE FOR SERIOUSLY ILL SURGICAL PATIENTS

Surgeons are critical providers for the growing number of seriously ill patients, many who live with burdensome, life-limiting chronic conditions that impose severe functional limitations or carry a high risk of mortality. Over 500,000 older adults, many with frailty and cognitive impairment, undergo high-risk surgery annually and nearly 20% of Medicare decedents undergo an inpatient surgical procedure in the last month of life.1 Older and seriously ill patients invariably suffer from higher rates of mortality and morbidity after elective and emergency surgery compared to their younger counterparts.2,3 In addition, many older patients experience distressing physical and psychosocial symptoms, and functional impairments, and reduced quality of life (QOL) after surgery. As such, these patients are also at a high risk of dissatisfaction with care and receiving care discordant with their overall health goals.