Posters

Background: The 2022 revised Geriatric Medicine training curriculum requires trainees to spend more time with a range of healthcare professionals outside their ward placements, including in the community. Contacts and recommendations need to be shared to enable trainees to arrange these placements efficiently. Introduction: Arranging placements was largely ad-hoc and time consuming with communication limited to emails and an informal WhatsApp group. This project aimed to establish a secure space for trainees to share information. Methods: In January 2022, a SharePoint site was created through

Background: Constipation is common in older inpatients due to immobility, illness, dietary changes and dehydration. Poor bowel health can result in pain, faecal impaction, urinary retention and even bowel obstruction. Daily stool chart documentation supports early detection and management, but compliance is often poor. Aim: To improve daily stool chart documentation in a geriatric ward by 10%. Methods: Weekly retrospective reviews of stool charts were undertaken. Compliance was calculated as stool chart entries ÷ total admission days. Interventions were introduced using PDSA methodology: Day 0

Background Postural hypotension, defined as a systolic blood pressure drop of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic drop of ≥10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing, is common in older hospitalised patients and is a major risk factor for falls, injury and mortality. Management is often complicated by coexisting supine hypertension, for which national guidance is limited. An internal audit (n=28) highlighted low resident doctor confidence in managing these conditions. Our aim was to improve clinician knowledge and confidence through the introduction of a clear guideline and educational materials. Methods A Plan

Introduction: 1 in 2 women over the age of 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Romosozumab is approved for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis with very high fracture risk and recent fragility fracture (1). At Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT), patients are referred to the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) via an electronic referral form. One key question on the form is whether the patient might be suitable for anabolic agents, such as Romosozumab. If marked as ‘yes’, the referral is fast-tracked for a quick clinic assessment. This study evaluates identification

Introduction The elderly are susceptible to the adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs. A high anticholinergic burden from their use has been linked to falls, delirium, functional decline and death. NICE guidelines urges review of these drugs in vulnerable elderly with diagnosed or suspected dementia and falls, and have highlighted the use of ACB scoring tools to facilitate our approach. Aim It was observed that ACB assessments were not routinely done in our geriatric wards. We aim to improve compliance with NICE recommendations on ACB assessment in high risk patients and encourage use of a

Introduction: Fragility fractures increases re-fracture and mortality risk, especially within two years. Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) aim to prevent secondary fractures by ensuring quality care for patients over 50. This study assesses equity of care in an existing FLS for patients above and below 80 years and evaluates re-fracture and mortality outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2,190 patients seen by Aneurin Bevan Fracture Liaison Service (AB-FLS) from January-December 2023 using national FLS Database (FLS-DB) data. After excluding 14 patients with missing data, 2,176 were

Introduction: Older adults with neck of femur (NOF) fractures often fast for prolonged periods, increasing dehydration, delirium risk and peri-operative morbidity. At Chesterfield Royal Hospital, ortho-geriatric department, we implemented Sip Til Send with 150-ml per hour of water Sip Til Send (S2S) pathway and evaluated feasibility, process and safety. Methods Control: subset was taken from 01/03/25-05/05/25. Following this prospective data was collected for all NOF patients put on the S2S pathway from 06/05/25-10/08/25; local contraindications were excluded. Outcomes: Age, American Society

Introduction Delirium affects up to 50% of hospitalised older adults (≥65 years) and is significantly associated with patient morbidity and healthcare burden. The 4AT is a rapid, practical, and cost-effective screening tool for delirium. This project evaluated the effectiveness of 4AT implementation on a care of the elderly ward and assessed strategies to increase its use. Methods All new admissions to a care of the elderly ward over a one-month period were reviewed. Data collected included: suspected delirium, known/suspected cognitive impairment, and completion of initial 4AT screening prior

Prolonged hospital stays for medically fit patients pending discharge destinations are a persistent problem for the national health service, depleting funds and bed availability. Crucially, patients risk hospital-acquired infection, institutionalisation and deconditioning. Discharge destinations for patients with altered need for government-funded social support are decided following submission of a universal referral form (URF), completed by the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Policy states URFs should be submitted 48 hours after a patient is deemed medically fit for discharge (MFFD). We

Introduction: Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly prescribed for atrial fibrillation (AF), and venous thromboembolism (VTE). In geriatric populations, prescribing is complex due to comorbidities, polypharmacy, reduced renal function, and increased bleeding risk. Errors in prescribing or inadequate patient information can lead to adverse outcomes. To address this, a structured DOAC Initiation Form was introduced to standardise prescribing practices, reinforce guideline adherence, and improve patient education. Methods: A multidisciplinary team conducted two Plan-Do-Study-Act

Introduction Anticholinergic medications remain widely prescribed to older adults despite evidence linking cumulative anticholinergic burden (ACB) with delirium, accelerated cognitive decline, falls, longer admissions, and excess mortality. ACB score ≥3 signals heightened risk, yet systematic review is rarely embedded in ward routines. We designed a quality improvement (QI) project using sequential Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles, aiming to show that pragmatic ward-level interventions can deliver measurable clinical benefit by reducing ACB among geriatric inpatients. Method Conducted on a

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of preventable hospital morbidity and mortality. Older adults admitted are at particularly high risk due to immobility, frailty, and comorbidities. NICE guideline NG89 recommends all hospital inpatients undergo a documented VTE risk assessment on admission and reassessment within 24 hours. An initial audit identified incomplete VTE assessments on prescription charts across two geriatric wards in our hospital. Aim To improve the completion rate of VTE risk assessments on two wards from baseline (80–86%) to 100%. Methods Prescription

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a leading cause of morbidity in the elderly, with fragility fractures risking mortality, loss of independence and lengthy hospital stays. Patients admitted to hospital are often frail, with numerous risk factors for osteoporosis. The NOGG (2021) and NICE (CG146) recommend fracture risk assessment using the FRAX score in all women ≥65 years, men ≥75 years, and any adult ≥50 with risk factors such as previous fragility fracture, glucocorticoid use, smoking and high alcohol, low BMI, parental hip fracture, or relevant comorbidities. Despite clear guidance, FRAX

Background: Zoledronic acid (Zol) is used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Once IV Zol has been administered as an inpatient, discharge documentation and GP communication should be completed. However, this can be inconsistent and can compromise continuity of care. A checklist produced by the HCOP (Health Care of Older People) team aimed to standardise osteoporosis management. In addition to the metrics reviewed in the previous 4 audit cycles, this audit looked at vitamin D correction before Zol. Methods: Data was collected from 55 patients receiving their first dose

Background This project was conducted within the Urology inpatient department at Leicester General Hospital, led by resident doctors under consultant supervision. Introduction ReSPECT forms summarise personalised recommendations for a patient’s care in an emergency setting, outlining their priorities and fears. Incomplete ReSPECT forms risk inappropriate interventions that do not align with patients’ wishes or clinical needs. Locally, the completeness and quality of ReSPECT forms varied, with missing patient preferences or unclear escalation plans, contributing to miscommunication between

Introduction Prescribing for older adults is complex due to frailty, multimorbidity, altered pharmacokinetics, and high risk of adverse drug reactions. Newly graduated doctors write most inpatient prescriptions but often feel underprepared, with error rates up to 10% (Nazar et al., 2015). Simulated prescribing platforms, such as Better Meds, offer a safe, realistic environment to practice. We designed progressive tutorials within geriatrics placement to address prescribing challenges in delirium and polypharmacy. Method Two cohorts of medical students participated: Year 3 (n=20): During the

Abstract Content : Introduction Fragility fractures are common in older adults and carry a high risk of refracture and mortality. Evidence shows that intravenous zoledronic acid can reduce refracture risk by up to one-third, with early initiation proven safe. Yet, real-world practice is often delayed by factors such as vitamin D deficiency, frailty, and system-level gaps. This audit assessed current practice at our centre and evaluated improvements after service changes. Method A retrospective audit was conducted at Heartlands Hospital. Patients aged ≥60 years admitted with fragility fractures

Introduction Sitting out of bed plays a crucial role in preventing deconditioning, muscle wasting, pressure injuries and thrombosis among older inpatients. It also fosters social interaction and cognitive engagement, reducing hospital stay duration and combating 'PJ Paralysis'. Objective To improve the number of older patients sitting out of bed during lunchtime in the COTE ward, thereby supporting their functional recovery and overall well-being. Methods Direct observations were conducted over two consecutive days at baseline and again three weeks after intervention were implemented. Patients

Introduction Older adults have historically been excluded from research, in part due to preconceived notions from researchers, clinicians and patients themselves about research being for younger patients or those with certain medical conditions. These assumptions persist despite “Healthy Ageing” being a priority theme for the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the extensive body of evidence that involvement in research benefits clinical care for older adults. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to improve older adults’ understanding of opportunities for research

Introduction Osteoporosis poses a significant health challenge in older adults, especially due to fragility fractures that increase morbidity and mortality. The FRAX tool, designed to estimate a 10-year risk of major osteoporotic and hip fractures, is a key resource for guiding treatment decisions. This audit evaluated how effectively FRAX scoring and primary prevention strategies were being used in a Front Door Frailty ward. Methods: Two retrospective audit cycles were conducted. The first included 51 patients (May–August 2024), and the second 50 patients (January–April 2025), admitted with