Posters

Introduction  Advance Care Planning (ACP) should be discussed with patients in the last 12-months of life. Clinical frailty scale (CFS) ≥7 correlates with a 1-year mortality of ≥50%. Optional Electronic Patient Record (EPR) ACP documentation was introduced in 2020, enabling routine data collection on ACP which showed an increase in ACP conversations documented over time. We aimed to establish if this was representative of the number of ACP conversations happening, applying the findings to configuration of a new EPR planned for October 2024.   Methods  Retrospective paper notes review of 38

Introduction: Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is a major contributor to frailty, falls, and functional decline in older adults, significantly increasing the risk of hospitalisations and mortality. While vitamin D is well known for its role in bone health, its potential benefit for skeletal muscle remains under investigation. This review critically evaluates the role of vitamin D supplementation in improving muscle health and function in older adults without vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A literature search across multiple databases identified 591 English-language

Introduction Inappropriate polypharmacy in complex, multimorbid, and frail older adults increases risks of adverse events, hospital admissions, and nonadherence. Polypharmacy review is an important part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) with national guidance emphasising the goal being harm reduction rather than deprescribing. This audit evaluated the impact of polypharmacy review within the Dundee Enhanced Care at Home Team (DECAHT) geriatrician caseload. Method A retrospective audit of the 25 most recent patient discharges under DECAHT-geriatrician care (July–August 2024) was

Background: Antibiotic stewardship is critical to combating resistance. Our Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aimed to evaluate and enhance antibiotic prescribing practices across three DME wards by assessing guideline adherence, therapy duration, end date documentation, and concurrent proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Older adults are at higher risk of antibiotic associated complications, especially C. diff infection. Methods: Baseline data were collected from the hospital's electronic prescribing system, evaluating prescriptions for indication appropriateness, duration compliance

"Assessment and Analgesia Prescription for Acute Pain in Older Adults Presenting to the Acute Frailty Unit" M Aslam; A Ajmal; J Selwyn; Ageing and Health; Forth Valley Royal Hospital Introduction: Pain in older adults is a common yet frequently under-recognised and undertreated issue. Age-related physiological changes, cognitive decline, and communication barriers make accurate pain assessment challenging. Despite its subjectivity, patients self-report remains the most reliable measure of pain. A multidisciplinary, person-centred approach—guided by both qualitative and quantitative methods—is

Introduction Hip fractures are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in frail older adults, with 70,000–75,000 cases annually in the UK. Osteoporosis is a major contributor, and those with one hip fracture face a 2–3 fold risk of recurrence. Intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid reduces future fractures and improves outcomes. Scottish standards recommend a loading dose of vitamin D within 7 days and IV zoledronic acid within 30 days unless contraindicated, along with referral to the local bone health pathway. Zoledronic acid is also cost-effective, costing under £1,000 compared to over £14,000

Introduction Working on Tameside Geriatric medicine wards in the past year, we came across several patients who had a DNACPR form, their families/NOK were not aware and they lacked mental capacity themselves to understand. Some had capacity but it wasn't discussed with them which was shocking. We believe that a decision to with-hold life saving treatment is huge and there should be more conversation and documentation surrounding it. Method We collected data from the 2 specialized Geriatric Medicine wards using a data collection tool to see how many patients had DNACPR decisions discussed with

Introduction Dementia is marked by progressive cognitive decline and frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms, which heavily impact patients and caregivers. Antipsychotic use in dementia requires careful risk-benefit analysis due to risks like sedation, falls, extrapyramidal side effects, and increased cerebrovascular events. Recent studies show a threefold rise in stroke risk with certain antipsychotics. Methods A retrospective review of dementia patients prescribed antipsychotics for non-cognitive symptoms assessed documentation quality. Key points included comprehensive assessments, trials of non

Background Frail older patients are at increased risk of adverse drug events due to polypharmacy and age-related pharmacokinetic changes. Standardised Medication Reviews (SMRs) are essential for optimising prescribing, reducing harm, and improving outcomes as part of comprehensive in-patient geriatric assessments. However, both inconsistent documentation and data capture limit their effectiveness. The implementation of an electronic prescribing platform within our organisation enables real-time SMR documentation and creates opportunities for service improvement. Methods In alignment with

Background: In 2024, 3.5% of patients reviewed in Dementia CNS clinics at St George’s Hospital, South-West London, identified as African or Afro-Caribbean according to audit data, despite the census recording the local population of these groups as over 10%. This underrepresentation is more concerning given national findings indicate that dementia rates are 22% higher among Black individuals in the UK compared to White counterparts. The disparity highlights systemic barriers to diagnosis, care, and research; emphasising the urgent need for culturally tailored outreach strategies. The aim of

Introduction Orthostatic hypotension, a fall in blood pressure (systolic drop >20mmHg, diastolic drop of 10mmHg) on standing up from lying or sitting position, is an important risk factor for fall among elderly population. In this quality improvement project, we assess the proportion of eligible patients who had lying and standing BP measurement. We made some interventions to improve this rate and reassess the proportion of patients who had their lying and standing pressure done afterwards. Method This is a prospective quality improvement project that recruited patients older than 65 years old

Introduction: A midday board round was introduced on 19 bedded frailty unit to allow the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to discuss each patient. The information shared verbally allowed us to learn about our patients, and, to facilitate a comprehensive geriatric assessment. However this information was not being captured within the medical notes. This was sub-optimal, it meant these details were subject to uncertainty later in the day, resulting in possible repetition of work or could even compromise patient care. Method: A sticker was developed, we were cognisant that this should not add

Background: The global population of people aged 65 years and over is expected to rise from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. Many of these older adults have multiple comorbidities and functional impairments that make them particularly vulnerable during acute hospitalisation. Engagement in meaningful activities can be vital to older people’s care, particularly in acute hospitals. Evidence suggests that such engagement can have a positive impact on the patients’ hospital journeys. To ensure individualised support, it is important to understand the purpose of meaningful activities for

Introduction To describe differences in the baseline characteristics of two distinct patient groups, ≤80 years and >80 years enrolled the North Glasgow Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection fraction ( HFpEF ) pilot project, a joint working project with Boehringer Ingelheim. Method This is a quality improvement/equity of access project to develop a blueprint of care using a multidisciplinary team approach to manage HFpEF. Following comprehensive clinical assessment, patient data was entered onto a database (Castor) and analysed, stratifying patients by age (≤80 vs >80 years). Results From 14th

Introduction Ageing & Frailty Standards(1) highlights the importance of identifying frailty at the earliest opportunity. A Community Rehabilitation Service is in prime position to incorporate frailty screening into the electronic healthcare record (EHCR). Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)(2) is appropriate for this population however was not prompted within the assessment and as a result completion rates were low. The aim was to include the CFS Systematized Nomenclature of Medicines - Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) code in the template for all people aged over 65 and monitor completion rates. Methods

Key words: Anticholinergic burden, memory clinic, dementia, polypharmacy Introduction The aging UK population and increases in life expectancy are contributing to an increase in the prevalence of dementia. A high anticholinergic burden (ACB) is associated with adverse prognosis in dementia. The aim of this service evaluation was to assess the prevalence of anticholinergic medications on referral to memory clinics in Cardiff and Vale memory assessment service. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted which evaluated the referral letters of 200 new patients referred to memory

Introduction Delirium is an acute or subacute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbed consciousness, attention, and cognition. It is common among hospitalized older adults and is often underdiagnosed, which can negatively affect patient outcomes. The 4AT tool is a rapid screening instrument for delirium, particularly suited for ward-based assessments. This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aimed to evaluate the use of the 4AT score in diagnosing delirium in inpatients and to raise awareness among healthcare providers to improve its usage. Method A retrospective analysis was

Introduction Delirium affects up to 50% of older patients (aged over 65 years) in hospital and is associated with serious consequences including greater morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays with consequent hospital acquired complications, and an increased likelihood of hospital readmission. Early recognition prompting effective management is critical in improving outcomes for patients with delirium.  Methods  This QIP was conducted amongst Foundation Year 1 doctors (FY1) working across all wards in a busy district general hospital to improve knowledge of delirium through educational

Background Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is the gold standard for evaluating frailty and complex needs in older adults. However, a full CGA can take up to two hours to complete- an invaluable but time-intensive process. The Community Resource Team (CRT) at St Woolos Hospital, Newport, delivers swift medical and nursing assessments to acutely unwell elderly and frail patients in their homes to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions as a part of the Gwent Frailty Unit Teams. For many patients seen by CRT, a full CGA may not be required and a shorter, streamlined assessment preserving

Background Hip fractures are a common fragility fracture in older people; more than 4,000 patients with a hip fracture in Wales were submitted to the National Hip Fracture Database in 2024. Survival rates have improved in recent years, however while women are twice as likely to sustain a hip fracture than men, the risk of dying is greater for men who sustain a hip fracture. Methods We conducted a retrospective comparison of the demographics, care received and outcomes across sex in patients with hip fracture in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in 2024. This included pre-existing