Posters for 2026 Yorkshire and North East Region

Introduction Frailty is a recognised clinical syndrome associated with increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes, including higher morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. 1,2 Assessment of frailty, utilising Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), rather than using chronological age and social history, supports individualised clinical decision-making by guiding treatment goals. 3,4 CFS provides a standardised, reproducible, and evidence-based measure of physiological reserve. 4 Despite its importance, frailty assessment is not consistently documented during hospital admissions

Patients with a hip fracture should start rehabilitation no later than the day after their operation (NICE Quality Statement). Only 69% of patients with a hip fracture were mobilised day one post operation in 2025 in North Tees Hospital putting it in the lowest performing quartile in the United Kingdom. Delayed mobilisation is shown to increase the risk of post-operative complications and increased lengths of hospital stay. The aim of this audit was to identify the percentage of patients mobilised day one and key barriers to mobilisation which could be addressed to reduce post operative

Cardiology in Older Persons: Identifying Opportunities to Prevent Deconditioning Through Early Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Introduction: Older adults admitted under cardiology are at increased risk of frailty, functional decline and hospital-associated deconditioning. Acute illness, invasive procedures, complications and prolonged hospitalisation can further reduce mobility and independence. We undertook an audit of patients admitted under the Cardiology in Older Persons (COPs) pathway to identify opportunities for earlier rehabilitation and functional support. Method: A retrospective

Introduction Delirium is a common and significant, but often underidentified cause of morbidity and mortality in older inpatients. Screening improves detection, management, patient outcomes, length of stay and readmission rates. NICE recommends the 4AT as the optimal screening tool for its accuracy, accessibility, and simplicity. The Trust’s protocol mandates 4AT assessment on clerking for all patients aged 65+. This project's primary aim was to audit 4AT screening on admission in the Geriatrics department. Secondary aims assessed documentation clarity: whether high 4AT scores (≥4) triggered

Introduction Prolonged bed rest in older hospitalised patients can contribute to deconditioning and loss of functional independence. Mealtimes provide a practical opportunity to encourage mobilisation. This quality improvement project assessed whether education and prompting could improve sitting out for lunch among older inpatients. Methods Ten inpatients aged ≥65 years on a rehabilitation/geriatric ward were observed over three consecutive days. Patients were assessed for their ability and clinical suitability to sit out for lunch. Where appropriate, patients who remained in bed were

Introduction: Opioid medications are associated with significant side effects in older people, including constipation, falls, delirium, and reduced bone health which can lead to loss of independence and hospital readmission. NICE guidelines encourage appropriate opioid deprescribing and review. This Quality Improvement Project aimed to improve the provision of education and a weaning plan for patients with opioids prescribed at discharge, following an acute hospital admission. Method: To achieve this, we provided education of opioid deprescribing to doctors and pharmacists across the Acute

Introduction Delirium is associated with significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalisation and adverse outcomes. Assessment of delirium risk factors and potential causes within 24 hours of admission was inconsistent on our acute frailty unit. Staff feedback identified limited confidence, unclear ownership of screening, variable access to screening tools and inconsistent assessment of pain and nutrition as key barriers. Method A quality improvement project assessed compliance with comprehensive delirium assessment within 24 hours of admission. Documentation was reviewed for 15 patients per cycle

Background: Delirium is a common complication of hospitalisation in older adults and is associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay and functional decline. Although routine screening using the 4AT is recommended, delirium assessment and documentation remain inconsistent. Baseline auditing identified poor ward-based 4AT completion, with assessments predominantly undertaken by medical staff despite the multidisciplinary nature of geriatric care. Aim: To improve multidisciplinary recognition, assessment and documentation of delirium by increasing staff knowledge, confidence and

Introduction: The expansion of acute frailty services is essential to meet the needs of our ageing population. According to the UK Office for National Statistics 2021 census, over one-sixth of the population (18.6%, or 11.1 million people) were aged 65 and over, with this proportion expected to rise to 25% within the next 20 years. Acute Frailty Team (AFT) was introduced in Newcastle in December 2024, aiming to create a streamlined pathway to avoid unnecessary admission and improving supportive discharges, the first frailty team in North-east England. The second audit cycle shows a decrease in

Background: Peripheral intravenous cannulas (PIVCs) carry significant risks of phlebitis and hospital-acquired bacteraemia, particularly in elderly patients. Royal Berkshire Hospital trust policy CG321 recommends daily review, VIP (visual infusion phlebitis) scoring, and removal within 72 hours unless extended to 96 hours with documented senior justification. This QIP aimed to improve PIVC documentation, review, and timely removal across two acute geriatric wards. Methods: Baseline data were collected on Ward A (general geriatrics, n=8) and Ward B (orthogeriatrics, n=11) in March 2026, with a

Introduction Clear identification of the responsible consultant is essential for safe inpatient care. This quality improvement project used two PDSA cycles to improve patient awareness of their named consultant on a medical ward, achieving a sustained improvement through improved bedside signage and standardised ward-round introductions. Informal feedback from patients and ward staff suggested that many inpatients were unaware of who their named consultant was, leading to confusion and difficulty escalating concerns. Method My quality improvement project used ‘Plan Do Study Act’ (PDSA)