Researchers analyzed data on nearly 1,600 geriatric patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours between 2008 and 2011. About 68 percent of patients faced a major medical decision during their hospitalization. While half of these were able to make decisions along, one-quarter conferred with a surrogate, and surrogates made all decisions for the remaining 25 percent.
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According to the report, most patients with surrogates were in general, rather than intensive care, units.
Researches this knowledge reinforces the need to better support surrogate decision-makers in hospital settings.
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