Education & advocacy

It is important for patients to ask questions about their care and to advocate for their needs. The information provided below may answer some of your questions regarding post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) but it is general information only and may not apply to you. If you have questions or concerns, we recommend that you speak to your health-care team or send us an email at brainhealth@sunnybrook.ca 

Resources for patients

• Cognitive decline after anesthesia
• About post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)
• Information on anesthesia and cognitive decline in adults (PDF)
• Infographic on post-operative cognitive dysfunction (PDF)
• Information on delirium
• Senior Friendly: about CHASM Protocol – Interventions for the prevention and management of delirium

Resources for health-care providers

• Network for Investigation of Delirium across the U.S.
• iDelirium
• Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) for Prevention of Delrium
• ICU Delirium and Cognitive Impairment Study Group 
• Delirium — Ontario Health Quality Standard
• Virtual Care for Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders

Advancements in Education & Advocacy

CAHS National Dementia Care Assessment recommends priorities for a Canadian Dementia Strategy

• A Canadian Academy of Health Sciences expert panel on dementia released their report outlining priorities for a national dementia strategy. Visit CAHS to download the Assessment.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada charged the panel with providing an evidence-informed and authoritative assessment on the state of dementia knowledge to help advance and inform the development of a National Dementia Strategy

New clinical terms for cognitive changes affecting surgical patients

• A unified nomenclature established and simultaneously published in six leading anesthesiology journals recommended a new set of terms to describe cognitive changes after anesthesia and surgery. This consistent nomenclature will help with diagnosis and management of perioperative cognitive impairment.

Best practice recommendations for perioperative brain health

• An article published in Anesthesia & Analgesia provided best practice recommendations for clinical assessment and management of postoperative brain health.

Information for pediatric and adult neurotoxicity associated with anesthesia

• SmartTots is a collaborative effort of the IARS, the FDA and many others who are working to make anesthesia safer for infants and children.