Posters

Hip fractures are a major public health issue due to ageing populations and Ireland has one of the highest hip fracture rates in Europe1. The cost of acute hip fracture care was 48.5 million euros in 20221. The Irish Hip Fracture Database in 2022 revealed that 84% of people presenting to acute hospitals with hip fracture were admitted from home, however only 29% were discharged directly home1. NICE guidelines recommend early supported discharge for patients who are medically stable and mentally fit to participate with rehabilitation and who can transfer and mobilise short distance but have not

Objective: To identify good practices and highlight areas for improvement in the prevention and management of inpatient falls. Method Fifteen patients had serious inpatient falls between April and September 2023 within the hospital. Electronic notes and fall panel meeting minutes were used to provide an analysis of the "pre-fall" and "post-fall" assessments. Data was collected and analysed using AMaT and then compared to the standards set by RCP National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF) – from KPI overview, 25% of patients had good quality Multi Factorial Risk Assessment (MFRA) in our Trust

Introduction: On behalf of National Falls Prevention Coordination Group, we were tasked with creating a user friendly guide on Medicines and Falls. We delivered two sessions on this topic one at British Geriatric Society Conference in November 2023 and another to Specialist Pharmacy Service audience in January 2024. Method: Audience participation was used in both sessions as part of the discussion on “What do you consider important when completing a medication review in a person who is at risk of falls?” and “Which group of medicines do you prioritise for deprescribing discussion in patients

Poster presentation Aim: Improve the care of patients aged 65+ presenting with trauma to the emergency department by ensuring earlier senior reviews (ST4+) and consideration of trauma calls and appropriate imaging. Method: Staff survey to assess awareness of older trauma and its management. Data analysis and collection followed by use of PDSA cycles to implement change. Teaching session on primary survey assessment and management of older trauma. Development of older trauma standard operating procedure. Results: Improvement was seen in both primary outcomes over a period of 8 months

Introduction: Preoperative frailty is a key determinant of post-surgical outcomes and often co-exists with sarcopenia and malnutrition. Older patients account for a significant proportion of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and are therefore more likely to be affected by these risk factors. Methods: Patients aged 65 and over undergoing planned surgery for colorectal cancer were recruited across five sites. Participants were screened preoperatively using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI). Nutritional status was assessed using the short form

Introduction With more cases of delayed marriage, voluntary childlessness and infertility among Chinese, childless older couples are anticipated to increase. Although evidence suggests that being childless in Western societies may benefit older couples, older Chinese couples without children are marginalised as no one is available to take care of their physical, psychosocial and financial burdens because children in the Chinese societies are often responsible for caring and supporting older individuals. This ongoing study explores the lived experiences of ageing among childless Chinese older

Introduction : Pulmonary hypertension assessed by echocardiography in patients with COVID-19 has not been adequately studied and it is unknown precisely whether it is linked to worse outcomes. Materials and Methods : Retrospective study of 306 adults infected with COVID-19 by antigenic or molecular testing. The main objective was to evaluate the role of the probability of echocardiographic pulmonary hypertension and its relationship with morbidity and mortality according to the ROX index in patients with COVID-19 infection. In the inferential statistical analysis, the OR odds ratios with their

Introduction: Older adults are the fastest growing and most sedentary group in society. With sedentary behaviour associated with deleterious health outcomes, reducing sedentary time may improve overall well-being. Adults aged ≥75 years are underrepresented in sedentary behaviour research. This study aimed to qualitatively profile the sedentary behaviour of adults aged ≥75 years. This included ascertaining older adults’ understanding of sedentary behaviour; identifying the activities performed in sitting and standing and identifying the barriers and facilitators towards reducing sedentary time

Introduction: Older adults are the fastest growing and most sedentary group in society. With sedentary behaviour associated with negative health outcomes, reducing sedentary time may improve overall wellbeing. This single-arm mixed-method feasibility study explored the acceptability of an intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in community-dwelling older adults aged ≥75 years. Methods: Participants were recruited from the Community Ageing Research 75+ Study (CARE75+) cohort, with factors such as age, frailty status, living arrangements and levels of sedentariness being considered. The

Background Delirium is associated with psychological and cognitive complications that have impacts beyond the patients. Although family members and carers can play a significant role in the management and recognition of delirium, there is limited research on the experience of family caregivers in the context of delirium. This study aims to explore the needs and experiences of family caregivers for a person with delirium and offer suggestions to support them. Method A qualitative interview study with family caregivers of persons with delirium. Data were analysed using an abductive analysis

Introduction An ageing population globally has created an escalating demand for age-attuned healthcare services. There is however an insufficient number of geriatricians to meet this need. Most older adults will therefore continue to receive their medical care from doctors without specialised geriatric medicine training. It is important therefore that all doctors possess fundamental gerontological competencies. Which specific competencies and how they might best be integrated into medical education remain unclear. Our aim was to summarise the literature on the geriatric medical competencies

Introduction The number of older adults accessing the healthcare service far exceeds the available geriatric specialist services. It is recognised that for the foreseeable future most hospital inpatient contacts with older adults will be completed by doctors not specifically trained in Geriatric Medicine. To ensure the provision of adequate healthcare, it is imperative that all hospital doctors are trained in the minimum Geriatric Medicine competencies. Allowing for the broad, complex, and multidisciplinary nature of Geriatric Medicine, we conducted a group concept mapping (GCM) study to

Introduction Monitored dosage systems (MDS) encompass a wide range of devices to help management of medication. This research uses poison centre data to explore risks associated with their use. Method A search of accidental overdose enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) between 1/01/2017-31/12/22, classified as “therapeutic error/medical error” involving patients aged 65 or over was performed. Enquiries involving an MDS were identified. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results There were 394 enquiries concerning 393 patients and

Introduction: There is growing awareness of the harms caused by racial abuse and discrimination from patients towards healthcare professionals, including anecdotal reports of patients ‘requesting a white doctor’ (Kline, BMJ Opinion, 2020); yet there is limited understanding of the impact in Geriatric settings. We conducted a survey in an inpatient Older Persons Service (OPS) on the prevalence, impact and actions taken in response to patient racism towards staff. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (Total N=47; Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff: N=32; White staff: N=15) of staff experiences

Introduction: The Centre for Perioperative Care recommends the assessment and documentation of delirium using a validated tool such as the 4-AT in older people undergoing surgery. Aim: This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to improve the assessment and documentation of delirium in patients aged 65 and above following vascular surgery in a tertiary centre. Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years who had undergone vascular surgery were identified and data was collected with access to the electronic patient record system. Analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Following baseline

Introduction There is limited understanding of long-term delirium care after discharge from hospital for older people. A realist approach was used to investigate the contextual factors and mechanisms of care that influence recovery from delirium. Realist evaluation is fundamentally theory-driven. A preliminary programme theory was used as the foundation for theory testing and refinement, in order to develop the RecoverED intervention. Method Realist interviewing techniques were used to obtain real-world and lived experiences of delirium recovery and service use in the community for theory

Introduction Improvement project in response to several bereavement meetings with families reporting concerns with communication and care received during their loved ones’ end of life care (EOLC). Methods Retrospective review of 79 inpatients documentation who died between August 2021-March 2022 in comparison against the Royal College of Physicians National Care of the dying audit to identify targets for intervention. Survey of 22 members of ward staff between (January-March 23) including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals to understand confidence, clinical knowledge and

Background: Patients who experience a hip fracture have a high re-fracture risk. Prompt initiation of anti-osteoporosis treatment is therefore vital. Oral bisphosphonates are less well tolerated in some older people resulting in poor adherence. A single dose of IV zoledronate however, can be effective for up to 3 years and is shown to reduce fracture rate by 35% (Gregson, Age and Ageing, Vol 51, 2022). Aim: To increase use of IV zoledronate post hip fracture in Salford Royal Hospital Local barriers: a trust guideline advising a 7 week vitamin D loading regime means inpatient IV zoledronate

Introduction: As we strive to generate more geriatricians we must understand the journey of the training programme. Whilst information is available from the RCP census and BGS workforce survey this study will compliment that data and obtain a broader picture. A similar survey was last undertaken by the BGS in 2019 and since that time much has changed, from a pandemic to the first published NHS Long term workforce plan. Method: TPDs were contacted directly by the BGS VP for workforce at the geriatric medicine specialty advisory committee and invited to complete an electronic survey. The survey

Introduction Symptoms of depression and anxiety, with and without dementia, are common in older care home residents. It is postulated that that watching films can help residents to share emotions, enhance social connectedness and engage in reminiscence. As such, films can ameliorate depression and promote well-being. This scoping review summarises the evidence for the therapeutic benefits of film-based interventions in care homes. Methods Electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, EMCare and CINAHL were searched for quantitative and qualitative studies in English including adults aged 65 years and