# Optimizing the End-of-Life Care Needs of Older Adults Undergoing Surgery

> **NIH AHRQ K08** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $144,672

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
By 2030, adults older than 65 years will exceed 20% of the U.S. population. In parallel to this rapidly changing
demographic, rates of surgery in this population are expected to increase by as much as 30%. Such patients
account for a disproportionately higher share of postsurgical morbidity and mortality. Although substantial
efforts have been made to reduce postsurgical complications and death, far less attention has been aimed at
end-of-life care in older adults undergoing surgery or being considered for surgery (i.e., surgical patients). High
quality end-of-life care among older adult surgical patients is seldom informed by the patient and
family perspective. Further, elements of this care are poorly defined and largely understudied. Through
our unique and robust collaborative infrastructure of surgical programs, the Michigan Surgical Quality
Collaborative (MSQC), we will evaluate perceived satisfaction with and quality of end-of-life care following
surgery using a previously validated Bereaved Family Survey and validated quality measures across hospitals
in Michigan (Aim 1), and develop an in-depth understanding of the key elements necessary for improved end-
of-life care for older adults at high risk of postsurgical death or poor outcomes (Aim 2). Informed from findings
in Aims 1 and 2, we will then develop and pilot test an intervention aimed at improving end-of-life care for
surgical patients and their families (Aim 3). The MSQC is the largest population-based surgical quality
improvement collaborative in the U.S. comprising 73 hospitals and representing over 50,000 patients per year.
This study will have an immediate impact on local and national initiatives by revealing how surgeons
and hospitals can better anticipate and manage older adult surgical patients and their families’ end-of-
life care needs. Results from this study will provide essential preliminary data for future studies aimed at
interventions that improve end-of-life care for older adults at risk of postsurgical death or poor outcomes.
Further, this research plan will lead to a unique data infrastructure through the MSQC that can be used for
future studies. The project, the multidisciplinary mentorship team, and educational plan are ideally suited to
address the career and leadership needs of the candidate, Pasithorn A. Suwanabol, MD, MS. Dr. Suwanabol is
board-certified in general and colorectal surgery with a clinical and research interest in palliative and end-of-life
care for older adult surgical patients. Her prior research experience understanding variation in surgical and
palliative care, as well as the surgeon’s role in the provision of palliative care, has prepared her for this
proposal. However, in order to achieve her goal of becoming a leader in improving care for older adults at high
risk of postsurgical death or poor outcomes, she requires additional training in engaging patients and families
into research through advanced survey and qualitative method...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10490269
- **Project number:** 5K08HS026772-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Pasithorn Suwanabol
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AHRQ
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $144,672
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2024-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10490269

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10490269, Optimizing the End-of-Life Care Needs of Older Adults Undergoing Surgery (5K08HS026772-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10490269. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*