Dr. Ouslander and his collaborator recently published a paper in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society calling for healthcare accountability. Overtreating these diseases in older adults can cause “dangerously low blood sugar or blood pressure, emergency visits, hospitalizations, disability or even death.” Dr. Ouslander emphasized that these outcomes are preventable, and prescribers should “be actively encouraged” to offer personalized treatment.
The paper includes recommendations from Dr. Ouslander and co-author Michael Wasserman, M.D. for better caring for older adults with diabetes and hypertension:
Review new treatment strategies
Make quality a priority
Mitigate risks by observing data
Report personalized treatment plans used
Work with other researchers, policymakers, and clinicians
