Posters

Introduction In-hospital cardiac arrests (1–1.5 per 1,000 UK admissions) are highly stressful, particularly for junior staff. Although national and international guidelines recommend post–cardiac arrest debriefing, implementation remains inconsistent, with rates between 6–31%. Debriefs—derived from military and aviation practices—support reflective learning, team performance, emotional wellbeing, and system improvement. They may be “hot” (immediate) or “cold” (delayed), each with benefits and risks. Reflective medicine theory underpins debriefing as a process promoting learning, team

Introduction The involvement of geriatricians in the care of frail, older patients under other specialities, particularly within perioperative settings, has shown to improve outcomes (1). There is growing support for using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGAs) within Cardiology, due to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease within this cohort and the challenges frailty presents to clinical decision-making (2,3). Methods Our aim was to increase the percentage of CGAs carried out for patients admitted under Cardiology aged ≥65 with a Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) of ≥5 by 50%, between

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex, multisystem neurodegenerative disorder extending beyond its cardinal motor features. Progressive cognitive decline, osteoporosis, falls and fragility fractures substantially affect quality of life, independence, caregiver burden, morbidity and mortality. Within routine movement disorder clinics, comprehensive bone health assessment and the safe initiation and monitoring of cognitive treatment can be challenging and often delayed. We therefore established integrated, specialist nurse led Brain and Bone clinic pathways to support holistic

Introduction Falls and frailty are major causes of morbidity and loss of independence in older adults, with low lower-limb muscle mass contributing to both. Although calf circumference (CC) is established as a simple anthropometric marker of muscle mass, the potential value of thigh circumference (TC) is less well defined. We reviewed evidence examining TC in relation to falls, frailty and associated functional outcomes. Method A focused scoping search of literature identified studies assessing TC or thigh muscle thickness in older adults in relation to falls and frailty. Thirteen studies

Introduction Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is ranked as the sixth most common chronic condition in older patients. The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps estimates CRSwNP prevalence at 5% in adults aged ≥60, versus 1–4% in the general adult population. Current conservative treatments primarily reduce symptoms and dampen inflammation rather than substantially manage the underlying pathology. Surgery for CRSwNP has a considerable post-operative recurrence rate, ranging from 12–51%. Despite the clear epidemiological preponderance in older adults, this

Introduction Polypharmacy is commonly defined as the prescription of five or more medications [1,2]. It is effective in managing long-term conditions but poses numerous risks [3]. Several commonly used drugs have anticholinergic effects and in combination can cause delirium and falls, both resulting in hospitalisation [4,5,6]. These complications are encountered more frequently in an ageing population with increasing multimorbidity [2,3]. Method The aim was to increase awareness of polypharmacy using an educational game named ‘Monopolypharmacy’, based on Monopoly. The ‘properties’ were long

Introduction Over 340 virtual hospital (VH) programs now operate across England, with a 60% increase between May 2022 and January 2023. Complex bone and joint infections (CBJIs) account for roughly 15% of Emergency Department caseload and disproportionately affect older adults, who face heightened risks from prolonged hospitalisation. Inpatient costs average £345/day. The Royal Berkshire Hospital established its Virtual Hospital in 2022 to provide outpatient monitoring and ambulatory treatment for CBJI patients. Given the paucity of data in this population, this study characterises

Introduction “Reverse boarding” — moving inpatients into corridors and other non-bed spaces to create capacity — is an acknowledged harm of hospital crowding, and NHS England has set a standard of zero. For patients dying in hospital the indignity is particularly acute. We examined whether opening a dedicated end-of-life care ward changed the exposure of dying patients to reverse boarding. Methods Routinely collected bed-management data (2021–2026) were analysed. End-of-life status was defined using stable markers held before the boarding event; ReSPECT documentation alone was deliberately

Introduction NICE NG31 requires regular, documented assessment of symptoms in the last days of life, yet dying patients on acute wards frequently go unassessed. We audited last-days-of-life (LDOL) flowsheet documentation on a newly opened nurse-led end-of-life care ward against matched deaths on acute wards. Methods The first 50 consecutive ward deaths were matched to 50 acute ward deaths (exact specialty; age within ten years; nearest length of stay). Electronic flowsheet entries for the final 72 hours of life were extracted for all comfort domains (pain, agitation, respiratory symptoms

Introduction Most in-hospital deaths occur on acute wards designed for cure, not comfort. In April 2026 our trust opened an 18-bed nurse-led end-of-life care ward in a quiet building apart from the acute site, with individual bays, a walled garden, daily specialist palliative care input and open visiting. Two referral pathways operate: patients in the last days of life, and fast-track discharge to preferred place of care. We report activity from the first eleven weeks. Methods Service evaluation using routinely collected data (14 April to 28 June 2026). Ward deaths, trust-wide deaths and

Introduction Assistive technology (AT) may reduce the consequences of falls by enabling earlier access to assistance. Our initial service evaluation identified inconsistent assessment and documentation of AT needs in older adults admitted following a fall. This project evaluated the impact of a departmental educational intervention on assessment, documentation and onwards AT referral. Method Recommendations from Cycle 1 informed educational interventions comprising governance presentations and departmental teaching sessions. A retrospective case note audit was undertaken as part of a closed

Introduction The Anti-cholinergic Burden (ACB) is the cumulative effect of using different drugs with anti-cholinergic effect concomitantly. This can have adverse effects on the Peripheral or Central Nervous systems. Research shows that patients with a high ACB score (≥3), have a 60% increased risk of fall-related hospital admissions, 50% increased risk of dementia, and 30% increased mortality in the older population. Methods I audited all the patients on the Care of the Elderly (COTE) ward over the period of 6 weeks aiming to assess the ACB score of patients on admission and after

Background: Frailty, multimorbidity and polypharmacy are associated with poorer postoperative outcomes, increased complications and loss of functional independence. National guidance recommends early frailty identification and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) within surgical pathways to facilitate optimisation and informed decision-making (1). A novel digital frailty self-screening pathway was introduced across elective surgical services within Swansea Bay University Health Board, enabling patients to identify potential frailty-related concerns and trigger referral to the existing

Influenza A Pneumonia Unmasking Platypnoea–Orthodeoxia Syndrome Secondary to Patent Foramen Ovale Background: Platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare condition characterised by dyspnoea and arterial desaturation in the upright position with improvement when supine. It results from right-to-left shunting and may arise from intracardiac causes, most commonly patent foramen ovale (PFO), or extracardiac mechanisms including pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, hepatopulmonary syndrome, parenchymal lung disease, and thoracic structural abnormalities. A precipitating factor is often

Introduction Delirium is common among older adults admitted to hospital and is associated with adverse outcomes. However, the magnitude of its association with in-hospital mortality and whether this differs between ward and intensive care unit (ICU) settings remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between delirium present on admission and mortality. Methods Observational studies comparing outcomes in hospitalised older adults with and without delirium on admission were included. Meta-analysis was performed in R using the meta and metafor packages

Introduction A doctor's duty of care continues after a patient's death until the body leaves the hospital. Following a patient's death, doctors involved in their care receive reminder emails until a proposed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is submitted. The case is then reviewed by a Medical Examiner (ME), who determines whether the cause of death is acceptable, requires amendment, or should be referred to the Coroner. Delays in completing this process can cause significant distress to bereaved families by delaying funeral arrangements and final rites. Method The Bereavement Team

Introduction: Frailty is increasingly encountered in clinical practice, yet undergraduate opportunities to develop confidence in managing older adults with frailty remain limited. We developed and evaluated a simulation-based teaching session aiming to enhance Swansea University medical students’ confidence in assessing and managing common frailty presentations. Methods: A frailty simulation teaching session was delivered to Year 3 Graduate Entry Medicine students during their frailty specialty attachment clinical placement. The sessions were delivered across two clinical sites, with each site

Introduction: The 2025 the Pembrokeshire inpatient census showed 75% of over 65-year-old inpatients have a Rockwood Clinical Frailty Score (RCF) ³>/=5, and 90% have one >/=4, highlighting a significant prevalence of frailty within this area. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (GCA) is an evidence based aspiring practice for treating patients living with frailty. The Withybush Frailty Pathway model implements early identification of frailty, access to the MDT and continuity of consultant care retained throughout hospital stay. Methods: Patients presenting to Withybush Hospital with a RCF >/

Abstract Content : Introduction Falls in the elderly over the age of 65 are common, and the prevalence increases with age. Current NICE guidance on managing falls involving head injury in patients receiving anticoagulation can be challenging to interpret. Combined with increasing pressures on ambulance services and emergency departments (EDs), this prompted development of a collaborative admission avoidance pathway. Methods A joint head injury pathway was developed by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (acute hospital), Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (community physical and

ntroduction : Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as Horton’s disease - a large‑vessel vasculitis characterized by granulomatous inflammation of medium and large-sized arteries - is the most common primary systemic vasculitis in adults over the age of 50 [1]. It shows a strong predilection for women, particularly those of Northern European ancestry. The classical presentation includes new‑onset headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication and visual disturbance, though the clinical spectrum is heterogeneous and may overlap with other conditions common in older adults [2,3]. Delayed