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Geriatric Surgery Verification Program at Sinai Hospital

Surgical Care Designed for Older Adults

Sinai Hospital’s Department of Surgery has earned the Focused Excellence in Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) from the American College of Surgeons. Sinai is one of only 24 hospitals nationwide to receive this verification and the first in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., region. 

 

For patients and families with loved ones aged 75 and older, this means inpatient surgery at Sinai is planned with extra attention to safety, recovery and independence.

How Geriatric Surgery Verification Helps Patients

The GSV program sets national standards for surgical care for patients aged 75 and older. These standards help ensure surgery planning looks at the whole person, not just the procedure. 

For patients and families, this means: 

  • Care that supports physical health, emotional well-being and daily function 
  • Early screening to find risks that could affect recovery or quality of life 
  • Clear conversations about what to expect before and after surgery 
  • Care teams working together across specialties 
  • Support as patients prepare to return home 
Doctor speaking with a patient

What to Expect

Preoperative Screening

 

Before surgery, every senior patient at Sinai Hospital receives a preoperative screening. This screening helps care teams understand a patient’s overall health and find areas where extra support may be helpful.

 

We check for:

  • Frailty
  • Nutritional status
  • Smoking and alcohol use
  • Memory and thinking problems (cognitive impairment)
  • Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
  • Impaired mobility or function  
  • Depression
  • Social support and caregiving needs
  • Medicines that may not be safe for older adults (Beers Criteria)
  • Palliative care needs, when appropriate 

Goals of Care and Surgical Risk Discussions

 

Clear, patient-centered communication is an important part of the GSV program. Patients and families talk with our teams about goals for surgery and possible risks. These conversations help patients understand their options and make sure care plans reflect what matters most to them.

Additional Support

 

If a screening shows any concerns, extra support is arranged. This may include referrals to or consultations with experts in nutrition, physical or occupational therapy, social work, palliative care or other areas. The goal is to address concerns early and support each patient’s health before surgery. 

Get in Touch

If you have questions about geriatric surgery care at Sinai Hospital, we’re here to help.

Dorothy L. Were, DNP, MSN, MBA, FNP-BC

Clinical Program Coordinator, Geriatric Surgery Verification Program

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore 

2401 W. Belvedere Ave. 

Baltimore, MD 21215 

 

Phone: 410-601-9927 
Fax: 410-601-5835