<i>Patient-Reported Outcomes and Readmission after Ileostomy Creation in Older Adults</i>

Abstract

Because of the concern about risk of poor outcome, ileostomy creation is sometimes avoided in older adults. We sought to evaluate the effect of a rigorous postoperative pathway and checklist on readmission and self-efficiacy in older surgical patients. After implementing a self-care checklist and standardized care pathway at our institution, we performed a retrospective review of patients between June 2013 and June 2016 and compared characteristics and outcomes for patients aged <65 and ≥65 years. Using logistic regression, we identified independent predictors of readmission. We also conducted a survey of patient self-efficacy after discharge to assess independence. There were 288 younger patients and 72 older patients. The older group had more patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists >2 (53.0% <i>vs</i> 81.4%, <i>P</i> < 0.01) and were more likely to have had surgery for cancer (22.9% <i>vs</i> 48.5%, <i>P</i> < 0.01). In the multivariable analyses, age was not a predictor of readmission but American Society of Anesthesiologist and length of stay were. In the 57 patients surveyed after discharge, we found that older and younger patients reported similar self-efficacy scores. In our study, older and younger patients have similar rates of readmission and similar ability to independently care for their themselves after ileostomy creation.