Testing your cognitive status before surgery
What is Post-Operative Delirium?
Post-operative delirium is a state of confusion that can happen after surgery. Certain pre-existing factors can increase your risk of developing delirium. For example, patients with pre-existing cognitive impairments are at a 2-3 times higher risk of developing delirium after surgery.
Why should you take a cognitive test before surgery?
Testing your brain before surgery can help identify your baseline mental status. This makes diagnosing delirium easier. Some example tests are shown below:
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)
The MoCA is a free cognitive assessment tool free that can help you determine if you are of high-risk for PND. - Short Orientation Concentration and Memory Test (S-OMCT)
The S-OMCT is a short memory test that your health-care team will provideover the phone. It takes 5 minutes to complete. - CogniFit
CogniFit is a brain training smartphone application designed to improve memory and concentration. To download, search for this application in the app store on your smartphone or tablet. - Elevate Brain Training
Elevate is a brain training app that helps improve focus, speed, and memory. To download, search for this application in the app store on your smartphone or tablet.