ORCID
0009-0004-7544-6012
Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2026
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Advisor
Brian Garrett
First Committee Member
Danielle Winch
Second Committee Member
Amy Bishop
Third Committee Member
Kirk Hummer
Keywords
postoperative cognitive dysfunction, evidence-based practice guidelines, anesthetic management, geriatric surgery, mini-cog
Subject Categories
Geriatric Nursing | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
As the global geriatric surgical population rapidly expands, managing complications like postoperative cognitive dysfunction is increasingly essential, given its adverse impacts on recovery, quality of life, and healthcare costs. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction can lead to extended hospital stays, delayed recovery, and significant cognitive decline, particularly among elderly patients exposed to general anesthesia. This quality improvement final scholarly project develops and hypothetically implements evidence-based practice guidelines for anesthetic management in geriatric patients at high risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project uses preoperative cognitive assessments, such as the Mini-Cog tool, to identify patients at elevated risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction and inform anesthetic strategies tailored to reduce cognitive decline. Using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, a multidisciplinary team, including anesthesia providers, nursing staff, and quality improvement personnel, will pilot, implement, and continuously evaluate these evidence-based practice guidelines to monitor their effectiveness in reducing postoperative cognitive dysfunction incidence. The project emphasizes quality improvement and data-driven adjustments to the guidelines, ensuring alignment with patient safety and optimal outcomes. Findings will contribute valuable insights for clinical settings, supporting safer, evidence-based anesthetic practices for the aging surgical population and improving geriatric care through targeted risk assessment, adjusted anesthetic techniques, and structured postoperative interventions.
Acknowledgement 1
1
Acknowledgement 2
1
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Garvey, Patrick M., "Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for the Risk Stratification and Anesthetic Management of Geriatric Surgery Patients at High Risk for Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 155.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_doc/155
FSP Poster