INTRODUCTION: Frailty is common in hospitalised older patients and hospitalisation can lead to negative outcomes. Our study aimed to provide insights into current decision-making processes on treatment, care and discharge by clinical teams. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in frail older patients ≥ 65 years old admitted to acute medical and surgical wards. Clinical Frailty Scale ≥ 5 was used to identify frail patients and process mapping was undertaken to identify common themes, trajectories and potentially modifiable factors. We followed patient journeys from admission to
Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in elderly patients with fragility fractures of the hip by estimating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, whether low levels of Vitamin D at the time of admission affects the functional outcomes and mortality at 28 day and one year. Methods A retrospective study of all the patients admitted with a fracture neck of femur from Jan 2018 to March 2021 was carried out. The data was obtained from NHFD (National Hip Fracture Database) and Medway software. A total of 1221 patients were admitted during this period. Patient
Introduction The frailty index (FI) is a frailty assessment tool calculated as the proportion of the number of deficits, or “things that individuals have wrong with them”, to the total number of variables in the index. Routine health and administrative databases are valuable sources of deficits to automatically calculate FIs. There is large heterogeneity in the deficits used in FIs. This sub-analysis of a scoping review on routine data-based FIs aimed to describe and map the deficits used in multi-dimensional FIs. Methods Seven databases were searched to find literature published between 2013
Introduction Delirium and multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) share numerous risk factors and have been shown individually to be associated with adverse outcomes following hospitalisation. However, the extent to which these common ageing syndromes have been studied together is unknown. This scoping review aims to summarise our knowledge to date on the interrelationship between MLTC and delirium. Methods Searches including terms for delirium and MLTC in adult human participants were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Psycinfo and CINAHL. Descriptive analysis was used to summarise findings
A Scoping Review of Guidelines and Resources to Promote Evidence-Based Prescribing for Older People with Sensory Impairment (OPwSI) BC Morrison1; E Asante2; MR Lennon2; MC Watson1 1. Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; 2. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Introduction By 2030, hearing impairment is expected to affect one in four people globally (WHO, 2022) and one in five in the UK (Hearing Link, 2023). Visual impairment is projected to impact 2.7 million people in the UK by 2030 (ONS
Introduction Over 500,000 fragility fractures occur in the UK each year (1). NICE guidelines state that all women aged ≥65 and all men aged ≥75 should be considered for a fracture risk assessment. It was recognised that locally these guidelines were not being met. The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve the number of patients being assessed for osteoporosis across two medical wards. Method This quality improvement project followed two “Plan Do Study Act” (PDSA) cycles. The first cycle involved teaching sessions for junior doctors on using the FRAX tool – a tool recommended
Introduction An Acute Frailty Team pilot was launched in December 2022 at the QEH. The aim was to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and length of stay (LOS) by providing interventions in the Emergency Admissions Unit (EAU), through comprehensive geriatric assessment. Following the pilot’s success additional recruitment was made to the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the service revaluated. The MDT consists of a Consultant Geriatrician, Specialist Frailty Practitioner, Frailty Fellow, Physiotherapist, Technical Instructor, Occupational Therapist, and Pharmacist. Method To allow
Introduction In 2022, 293 hip fractures had been admitted to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. As recommended by National Osteoporosis Guideline Group ( NOGG ) intravenous zoledronate is the first line treatment option following a hip fracture. Aims We wanted to improve bone health summaries on discharge summaries for the benefit of the General practitioner ( GP ), Fracture liaison service and patient. Results We used our local National Hip Fracture database to identify the patients who had had a fractured hip in September 2023. We then introduced our changes as part of the PDSA cycle. The change
Background: ‘IN REACH’ was established, having identified a significant need to improve nutrition for cognitively and physically frail hospital inpatients, admitted to the Complex Medical Units (CMU) at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The IN REACH team includes the CMU multi-disciplinary team (MDT), representatives from patient and volunteer groups, caterers and medical illustrators. Introduction: IN REACH identified that food and drink is often unreachable by inpatients. The project’s aim is to ensure food and drink is always within patient reach, improving nutritional intake, avoiding
Reported delirium prevalence in inpatients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) varies widely across the literature and is often underreported. Delirium is associated with an increased risk of institutionalisation, dementia, and mortality, but to date there are no comprehensive prospective studies in PD. We aimed to determine delirium prevalence in PD compared to older adults and its associated risk with adverse outcomes. Participants from the ‘Defining Delirium and its Impact in Parkinson’s Disease’ (DELIRIUM-PD) and the ‘Delirium and Cognitive Impact in Dementia’ (DECIDE) studies were included
Background: Delirium is a common condition in hospitals, especially among older people. This refers to a dramatic decline in mental capabilities marked by diminished concentration and consciousness. Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess the views, knowledge, and behavior of non-consultant hospital doctors about managing delirium in a large Irish hospital. Methods: Questionnaires were given to 28 healthcare professionals from various departments according to Davis and MacLullicin (2009). It was conducted between July and September 2023 with emphasis on finding out its prevalence rate
Introduction Shared Decision-Making (SDM) is increasingly expected in most aspects of UK medical practice and can be particularly important for older patients to guide goals of care. Treatment Escalation Plans (TEP) summarise medical intervention to be attempted in the event of acute deterioration. Current guidance advocates SDM in TEP but it is unclear whether this is considered practicable by clinicians. This study aims to understand clinicians’ perspectives on SDM in TEP for older patients in the acute medical setting. Methods This was a qualitative study following a relativist
Background Fragility fractures, defined as fractures resulting from low energy trauma (1), are consistent with a diagnosis of osteoporosis. When a patient is discharged from hospital, guidelines recommend principal and additional diagnoses, relevant co-morbidities contributing to primary diagnosis, medications and relevant investigations are recorded (2). Methods This audit reviewed discharge summaries of all patients discharged from a rehabilitation unit over two months, in accordance with the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA) National Standard for Patient Discharge Summary
Introduction: Delirium affects up to 50% of older individuals within hospital environments, with a notable occurrence in 30% of those aged 65 and above in emergency departments. This QIP aimed to enhance the early recognition of delirium by implementing the 4AT assessment and optimize assessments and investigations by implementing the Delirium Bundle. Methodology: A survey involving 39 doctors was conducted to evaluate their comprehension of delirium and awareness of the Delirium Bundle. PDSA 1 involved retrospective data analysis of medical records for patients admitted with delirium and used
Introduction: The terminology surrounding manual-handling equipment and discharge planning is rarely taught in medical school. Yet, it is crucial for medical staff, particularly those working on Care of the Elderly (COTE) wards, to comprehend these terms to accurately assess a patient's function and optimise discharge planning. Methods: A 17-question survey was distributed to establish the baseline knowledge of medical staff in a district general hospital, with the aim of using PDSA (plan, do, study, act) cycles for improvement as needed. Following preliminary data analysis, a lunchtime
Abstract Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the primary medication for dementia treatment. Bradycardia is a possible adverse effect associated with ChEIs. However, the relationship between ChEIs and bradycardia has not been definitively established, particularly in the Asian population. We conducted a study investigating the association between ChEIs and heart rate. Methods: We retrieved data from electronic medical records (EMR) of patients aged over 60 who were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia at Ramathibodi Hospital between January 2009 and December 2022
Experiences of Healthcare Staff in an Acute Hospital-Nursing Home Collaboration: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: Many countries are facing an ageing population, and this is also evident in Singapore. To alleviate this matter and to cope with the increasing number of older persons today, nursing homes are also expanding. Residents of nursing homes are often frail and are at higher risk of multiple hospital admissions. On many occasions, the benefit of conveying the frail residents to acute hospitals is unclear and may even cause more harm. We implemented an acute hospital-nursing home collaborative pilot in two nursing homes with an objective to reduce emergency department visit and
Introduction Frailty is a condition with increasing prevalence in the UK and significantly impacts the lives of those affected and their families. Frailty is a condition best managed by teams of skilled multi-disciplinary health and social care professionals (HSCPs). It is therefore essential that all HSCPs working with older people living with frailty are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and attitudes to look after affected persons. Methods The British Geriatric Society (BGS) and NHS England (NHSE) collaborated to produce an online e-learning module to support HSCPs to provide frailty
Purpose To investigate physiotherapists’ perspectives of effective community provision following hip fracture. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 community physiotherapists across England. Thematic analysis drawing on the Theoretical Domains Framework identified barriers and facilitators to implementation of effective provision. Interviews were complemented by process mapping community provision in one London borough, to identify points of care where suggested interventions are in place and/or could be implemented. Results Four themes were identified
Introduction: One of the most important consequences of hospitalisation in older patients is sarcopenia. This study aims to determine the impact of hospitalisation on muscle mass, functional status, nutritional status, and short-term clinical outcomes. Methods: A prospective study of patients admitted to an Acute Geriatric Ward between 1st November and 30th December 2022. Muscle ultrasound, utilising Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) at the bedside, was employed to estimate rectus femoris muscle thickness (MT), area (Ar), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) at the time of hospital