Electronic rapid fitness assessment: A novel tool for preoperative evaluation of the geriatric oncology patient Journal Article


Authors: Shahrokni, A.; Tin, A.; Downey, R. J.; Strong, V.; Mahmoudzadeh, S.; Boparai, M. K.; McMillan, S.; Vickers, A.; Korc-Grodzicki, B.
Article Title: Electronic rapid fitness assessment: A novel tool for preoperative evaluation of the geriatric oncology patient
Abstract: The American College of Surgeons and American Geriatrics Society recommend performing a geriatric assessment (GA) in the preoperative evaluation of older patients. To address this, we developed an electronic GA, the Electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment (eRFA). We reviewed the feasibility and clinical utility of the eRFA in the preoperative evaluation of geriatric patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our experience using the eRFA in the preoperative assessment of geriatric patients. The rate and time to completion of the eRFA were recorded. The first 50 patients who completed the assessment were asked additional questions to assess their satisfaction. Descriptive statistics of patient-reported geriatric-related data were used for analysis. Results: In 2015, 636 older patients with cancer (median age, 80 years) completed the eRFA during preoperative evaluation. The median time to completion was 11 minutes (95% CI, 11-12 minutes). Only 13% of patients needed someone else to complete the assessment for them. Of the first 50 patients, 88% (95% CI, 75%-95%) responded that answering questions using the eRFA was easy. Geriatric syndromes were commonly identified through the performance of the GA: 16% of patients had a positive screening for cognitive impairment, 22% (95% CI, 19%-26%) needed a cane to ambulate, and 26% (95% CI, 23%-30%) had fallen at least once during the previous year. Conclusions: Implementation of the eRFA was feasible. The eRFA identified relevant geriatric syndromes in the preoperative setting that, if addressed, could lead to improved outcomes. © JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Journal Title: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1540-1405
Publisher: Harborside Press  
Date Published: 2017-02-01
Start Page: 172
End Page: 179
Language: English
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28188187
DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2017.0018
PMCID: PMC5507335
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 May 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Andrew J Vickers
    880 Vickers
  2. Vivian Strong
    264 Strong
  3. Robert J Downey
    254 Downey
  4. Manpreet Boparai
    12 Boparai
  5. Armin Shahrokni
    132 Shahrokni
  6. Amy Lam Ling Tin
    114 Tin