Kaiser Permanente Fresno hosted its second annual Geriatric Symposium in March 2025 to educate attendees on the unique care needs of our growing geriatric patient population.

The event opened with a keynote address by Amit Saini, MD, Physician Lead for Geriatric Medicine and the Continuing Care and Extra Care Program. Following the keynote, a multidisciplinary panel from the Senior Surgical Care Program (SSCP) shared strategies to optimize patient care before surgery. Panelists included SSCP Coordinator Kim Clifforth, MSN, RN; Sandy Chan, MD, Anesthesiology; SSCP Physician Director Anna Avik, DO, Orthopedics; Perioperative Medicine Co-Director Supakit Titapiwatanakun, MD; Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor Floreida Uriarte, PharmD; Lead Registered Dietitian II Julie Fraser; and Utilization Management Nurse Manager Sheila Brillante, BSN, RN.

The highlight of the day was an innovative, hands-on learning experience: the Delirium Escape Room. This interactive activity taught interventions for preventing and managing delirium in hospitalized patients. Participants engaged in delirium-themed escape rooms and sensory-based stations organized by the Geriatric Committee. The escape room challenged attendees to solve puzzles and apply evidence-based nursing interventions, promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. Sensory stations offered a powerful perspective by simulating what geriatric patients see, feel, and hear – deepening empathy and understanding of their care needs.

By combining education with immersive experiences, the symposium bridged theory and practice, strengthened clinical skills, and enhanced collaboration among staff. These innovative strategies are helping Kaiser Permanente Fresno improve outcomes and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care for our growing geriatric population.