The Care Coordination and Optimization in Geriatric Surgery (COGS) pilot program was feasible and well-received for integrating geriatric assessment into routine surgical care for older Veterans.
Does the Care Coordination and Optimization in Geriatric Surgery (COGS) program improve care coordination and goal-aligned surgery in older adults?
Integrating geriatric principles within surgical care through the COGS model is feasible and promotes goal-aligned surgery for older adults.
Older adults undergoing surgery are at increased risk for complications, functional decline, and prolonged recovery due to frailty and other age-related vulnerabilities. To address these challenges, we developed the Care Coordination and Optimization in Geriatric Surgery (COGS) program, a pilot initiative integrating comprehensive geriatric assessment and targeted optimization into routine surgical care for Veterans. Using the Risk Analysis Index-Clinical (RAI-C) to identify higher-risk patients, the COGS team-comprising geriatric providers, nursing, and surgical staff-provides individualized evaluation and interventions focused on nutrition, mobility, medication safety, cognition, and social support. By embedding geriatric expertise directly into the surgical clinic, the program fosters collaboration among surgeons and geriatricians, improving communication and supporting shared decision-making about surgical readiness. Early experience demonstrates that COGS is both feasible and well-received, enhancing the coordination of care for older Veterans and aligning surgical decisions with patients' goals and overall health status. Expansion of the program to additional surgical specialties and evaluation of short and long-term outcomes are underway. The COGS model demonstrates how integrating geriatrics principles within surgical care can promote safer, more goal-aligned surgery for older adults.
Scannell et al. (Sat,) conducted a other in Older adults undergoing surgery. Care Coordination and Optimization in Geriatric Surgery (COGS) program was evaluated on Feasibility and acceptability. The Care Coordination and Optimization in Geriatric Surgery (COGS) pilot program was feasible and well-received for integrating geriatric assessment into routine surgical care for older Veterans.