A Narrative Review: Optimizing Care for the Medically Complex Geriatric Patient: Polypharmacy, Airway, and Home-Based Crisis Response
Abstract
Background: The medically complex geriatric patient, characterized by multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and functional decline, represents a high-risk population for adverse outcomes, fragmented care, and excessive healthcare costs. Interdisciplinary failure in managing these intersecting needs is common. Aim: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence and propose an integrated, person-centered framework for optimizing care by synthesizing the distinct yet interconnected roles of pharmacy, family medicine, respiratory therapy, nursing, medical coding, dentistry, and emergency & disaster management. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles and guidelines published between 2010 and 2024, focusing on each discipline’s contribution to geriatric care, polypharmacy, respiratory management, and disaster preparedness. Results: Effective care requires moving beyond siloed approaches to implement systematic medication reconciliation and deprescribing, integrated airway management, proactive oral health integration, accurate complexity coding, and embedded disaster preparedness into routine care plans. Conclusion: An intentional, structured interdisciplinary model that addresses pharmacotherapy, respiratory function, and crisis resilience is essential to improve outcomes, quality of life, and system sustainability for this vulnerable population.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Sami Abdullah Alwagdani, Kanosh Nakhilan Albathali, Mazen Ayidh Mohammed Alotaibi, Ahad Rayhan Alquayqie, Furayhah Nafea Lafi Alruwaili, Ismail Ahmad Ismail Alnumi, Nessreen Muhammad Salem Algushiry, Asma Mansor Alsedrah, Shahad Sulaiman Alodhaiani, Wejdan Hamed Saghir, Raad Adel Alqeen, Hadi Eidan Salim Aldhafeeri
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